Alaves vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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These are two sides that have majorly improved as they push back up the league table with Deportivo Alaves now welcoming Espanyol to the Basque Country this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Alaves preview: Steady Alaves
Last season, Deportivo Alaves struggled throughout the campaign but eventually managed to steer themselves away from the bottom three and the relegation places under the management of former Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Coudet.
The Basque outfit begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting firmly in the middle-of-the-table with three victories, three draws and four defeats. They hammered Getxo by seven goals to nil in the first round of the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Espanyol preview: Strong Espanyol
Much like Alaves, Espanyol eventually managed to climb free of the danger last season and then, following the takeover of the club by Burnley owner Alan Pace, the Catalans have been much-improved this time around.
The visitors begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top five in La Liga. A 2-1 win over Atletic Lleida in the Copa del Rey means that they are now on a three-match winning streak across all competitions.
Alaves team news: Couple of issues
Summer signing Jon Pacheco is missing through injury for Alaves this weekend, whilst versatile defender Facundo Garces remains unavailable through suspension for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Antonio Sivera; Jonny, Tenaglia, Diarra, Youssef Enriquez; Carlos Vicente, Denis Suarez, Antonio Blanco, Carles Alena; Toni Martinez, Lucas Boye
Unavailable: Garces (Disciplinary), Jon Pacheco (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol team news: Javi Puado out
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Espanyol to deal with, albeit their key man Javi Puado remains sidelined for the visitors due to a knee injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Riedel, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Jofre Carreras, Pol Lozano, Edu Exposito, Pere Milla; Roberto Fernandez, Pickel
Unavailable: Javi Puado (Injured)
Questionable:
Alaves vs Espanyol prediction
Deportivo Alaves will believe they have finally become more effective in their desire to be more proactive. They will get themselves on the front foot again against an Espanyol side that have, throughout the opening couple of months of this campaign, have become quite slick on the counter-attack and so both teams scoring would appear a good bet for this one at Mendizorrozza.
Alaves vs Espanyol tip: Both teams to score
