Deportivo Alavés - Espanyol 22/02/2025

It's finally Saturday again, and that means more Spanish football in La Liga. This Saturday we take a closer look at a match that is always close. Deportivo Alavés and RCD Espanyol meet at the Estadio de Mendizorroza. Both teams are fighting to avoid relegation, and the pressure is on as the specter of relegation looms over both teams.

Deportivo Alaves

Defensively, they struggle to keep clean sheets. They concede a lot of goals, and goalkeeper Antonio Sivera has taken the ball out of his own net a whopping 38 times. This makes them the team with the third most goals conceded in La Liga, and they are therefore second to last in 19th place with 22 points.

However, they have an attacking hope in Enrique García (Kike), who has scored 10 goals so far. He gives the team a chance to keep their place in La Liga. Hugo Novoa is out with a groin injury from the previous match, but otherwise there are no significant injuries.

Alavés will likely start the match aggressively to take advantage of their home field advantage. They will focus on quick attacks and try to create chances on the wings. The key for them will be to keep a compact defense and avoid easy mistakes at the back.

RCD Espanyol

The team is in 18th place with 23 points. They have struggled on the road, with 8 losses in the last 10 games. In their last game they played 1-1 at home against Athletic Club.

They score goals, but it doesn't help when they keep conceding more than they produce. In the last 10 games they have scored 13 goals, but conceded 18. Defensively they have been a disaster away from home.

However, Javi Puado has been a key figure in attack, scoring eight goals. In the reverse fixture earlier this season, he scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Deportivo Alavés, underlining his potential to influence games.

Espanyol will likely play a more defensive approach and try to exploit counterattacks. Their strategy will be to be patient in defense and wait for mistakes from Alavés. Midfield control and quick transition football will be crucial for their chances of taking home points.

That's why we believe in goals

Historically, the matches between these two teams have been even, but Espanyol has had a slight advantage. The last 10 meetings have ended with 5 wins for Espanyol, 3 wins for Deportivo Alavés and 2 draws.

Considering both teams' need for points in the relegation battle, a close and tough match is expected. Alavés has the home field advantage, while Espanyol will try to exploit Alavés' defensive weaknesses.

Both teams have shown defensive weaknesses this season. Espanyol will likely continue to concede goals away from home, but will also score goals themselves. The same can be expected from Deportivo Alavés.

Everything points to an exciting match where both teams will give everything to secure important points. The intensity will be high, and individual performances could be decisive for the outcome. An early goal could open up the match and create a more entertaining match for the spectators.

Spain at 14:00: Deportivo Alavés – Espanyol: Over 1.5 goals (1.58)

Alternative game:

Spain at 14:00: Deportivo Alavés – Espanyol: Both teams to score (BTS) (2.49)

Spain at 14:00: Deportivo Alavés - Espanyol: Enrique García Martínez (Kike) scores a goal (2.65)