Alaves vs Sevilla Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Deportivo Alaves are once again expected to be struggling against the drop this season, and they welcome likely fellow strugglers Sevilla 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 Alaves vs Sevilla may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Alaves preview: Expected to struggle
Deportivo Alaves, under the management of former Real Betis boss Claudio Giraldez, managed to only just steer themselves clear of the bottom three and the relegation places last season, but it has been a bright start to the campaign this season.
The Basque outfit have managed two victories with a draw in their opening four matches of the campaign. They come into this one on the back of a 1-0 victory over Basque rivals Athletic Club at San Mames the other day, courtesy of an Alex Berenguer own goal.
Sevilla preview: Fallen giants
Having collapsed to being also-rans in La Liga in each of the last few seasons, Sevilla are once again expected to struggle this season with poor recruitment, financial issues and regular managerial changes.
The Andalusians have managed just one win in their opening four matches this season, and that came against fellow crisis club Girona. They most recently shared a 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Elche at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan last weekend.
Alaves team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Alaves to deal with this weekend, with only long-term absentee Carlos Benavidez still a doubt for the Basque hosts.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Antonio Sivera; Jonny, Garces, Tenaglia, Diarra; Pablo Ibanez, Antonio Blanco; Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi, Carles Alena; Mariano
Unavailable:
Questionable: Carlos Benavidez (Injured)
Sevilla team news: A few doubts
Sevilla are dealing with a few doubts as they travel to the Basque Country, with both Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams both potentially sidelined as they seek to fill the gap of Dodi Lukebakio.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Nyland; Cesar Azpilicueta, Nianzou, Marcao; Juanlu, Gudelj, Mendy, Alfon; Vargas, Agoume; Isaac Romero
Unavailable: Joan Jordan (Injured)
Questionable: Ramon Martinez (Injured), Ejuke (Injured), Adams (Injured)
Alaves vs Sevilla prediction
Deportivo Alaves have managed to put in some reasonable performances this season, despite the departures of key men such as Santiago Mourino and Kike Garcia over the summer. They face a Sevilla side that really lack quality, especially in attack now that Lukebakio has been sold to Benfica. Alaves have benefitted from playing poor sides and they themselves are limited and so a low-scoring encounter is to be expected for this one at the Mendizarrozza.
Alaves vs Sevilla tip: Under 2.5 goals