Alaves vs Getafe Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Deportivo Alaves got themselves clear of relegation last season and kick off their campaign against a Getafe that produced another overperformance to qualify for Europe.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – 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 / USA – ESPN+
Alaves preview: Looking for mid-table ecurity
Deportivo Alaves' summer has seen them relatively quiet in the transfer window with the arrivals of Ville Koski and Mikel Rodriguez from Croatian side Istra and fellow Basque outfit Real Sociedad, respectively, as well as Nicolas Valentini joining on loan from Fiorentina.
Former Watford and Espanyol boss Quique Sanchez Flores, who has also had a couple of stints in charge of Getafe, helped Alaves steer clear of danger at the back end of last season with quite an entertaining style of football for the neutral.
Getafe preview: In Europe
Getafe remain coached by the always aggressive and hostile Jose Bordalas. His style of football is not to everyone's, or anyone's, tastes but it is effective and saw Getafe punch above their weight to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League last season.
Over the summer, several loanees that helped achieve that have now joined on a permanent basis, while also bringing in the likes of Jean Ives Valou and Andres Garcia on loan from Villarreal and Aston Villa, respectively. The departure of key man Mauro Arambarri is a key issue for Getafe, with midfielder Orel Mangala set to bring some much-needed presence in the middle of the park.
Alaves team news: Boye a key doubt
Key attacker Lucas Boye was forced off in a friendly a week before the season and so the Argentine is now a major doubt for the opener alongside Uruguayan midfielder Carlos Protesoni.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Antonio Sivera; Tenaglia, Valentini, Diarra, Jonny; Angel Perez, Denis Suarez, Antonio Blanco, Ander Guevara, Carles Alena; Toni Martinez,
Unavailable: Garces (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Protesoni (Injured), Boye (Injured)
Getafe team news: Uche returns but is out
Christantus Uche has returned to Getafe after his time at Crystal Palace but he has sustained a knee injury, something that has also ensured that Juanmi is also a doubt.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): David Soria; Sazonov, Romero, Abqar; Andres Garcia, Mario Martin, Mangala, Ramon Terrats, Kiko Femenia; Martin Satriano, Borja Mayoral
Unavailable: Uche (Injured)
Questionable: Juanmi (Injured)
Alaves vs Getafe prediction
Alaves have finished last season playing quite a fun and watchable style of football that should be continued and developed further this time around. Getafe may be safety first and obdurate but they are effective in both boxes and can never be counted out from at least scoring so both teams scoring on the opening day of the season at Mendizorrotza would be a decent bet for this one.
Alaves vs Getafe tip: Both teams to score
