Racing Santander vs Alaves Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Racing Santander have been competitive since their return to La Liga as the Cantabrians now welcome high-flying Deportivo Alaves to El Sardinero.
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+
Racing Santander preview: Competitive Racing
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Racing Santander have been competitive thus far and they have been fun to watch, too, with three of their four matches finishing 2-2, a 3-2 victory and a 3-2 defeat.
The hosts were beaten 3-2 by Rayo Vallecano at Butarque in Leganes last week with Racing taking the lead twice in the first half before succumbing to defeat – even though Rayo were eventually reduced to nine men late on.
Alaves preview: Impressive Alaves
In the second half of last season, Quique Sanchez Flores performed extremely well to steer Alaves eventually comfortably clear of the bottom three and the relegation places with a much more proactive and entertaining style of football.
The Basque outfit have started this season with three victories and a draw as they begin the weekend sitting second in La Liga after their thrilling 5-2 of Osasuna at the Mendizorrozza in the Basque Country last weekend.
Racing Santander team news: Couple of absentees
Back-up goalkeeper Simon Eriksson is a fresh absentee for the hosts due to a shoulder injury, while Andres Martin is also sidelined for the hosts this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Alvaro Mantilla, Manu Hernando, Facundo Gonzalez, Jorge Salinas; Pablo Garcia, Prati, Ivan Martin, Inigo Vicente; Sergio Canales; Zabiri
Unavailable: Eriksson (Injured), Andres Martin (Injured)
Questionable:
Alaves team news: Toni Martinez could return
Alaves could well be further boosted in attack as Toni Martinez nears a return to full fitness but summer signing Mikel Rodriguez does remain sidelined due to a knee injury sustained earlier this month.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Antonio Sivera; Angel Perez, Tenaglia, Koski, Jonny; Carles Alena, Pablo Ibanez, Antonio Blanco, Rebbach; Mariano, Lucas Boye
Unavailable: Garces (Injured), Mikel Rodriguez (Injured)
Questionable: Toni Martinez (Injured)
Racing Santander vs Alaves prediction
Home advantage should once again ensure that Racing get themselves on the front foot, as they have previously been at home to both Villarreal and Elche so far this season. Alaves, though, have become extremely effective on the counter-attack with impressive form shown by Lucas Boye and Mariano Diaz. Both teams scoring would appear a very good bet for what should be an entertaining watch for the neutral in Northern Spain.
Racing Santander vs Alaves tip: Both teams to score
