Villarreal vs Alaves Match Preview & Prediction

Villarreal vs Alaves predictions, H2H and match preview for this Saturday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as the Yellow Submarine aim to move into the top four.

Villarreal vs Alaves Preview

This game may sound like one the home team should win but Alaves boast a terrific recent record against Villarreal and have a 100% record on this ground since returning to the top flight three years ago. That should give the visitors a bit of extra belief heading into this game but they will take on a Villarreal side that looks to be finding their feet again after a poor season last time around.

Javi Calleja’s men claimed a valuable three points on the road at Espanyol last time out and they will climb into the Champions League places should they win this game. Only Barcelona have netted more goals than Villarreal this term with Gerard Moreno’s return to form in front of goal aiding their increased threat up top. Santi Cazorla has again been fantastic in midfield but tentative signs that this new-look defence is starting to gel will be the biggest positive for Calleja with just 5 goals conceded in their last 6 games.

Alaves were also winners last time out. Goals from centre-back Lisandro Magallan and a first for Lucas Perez helped them see off Celta Vigo last time out. However again they look like a side that will be very dependent on their home results if they are going to avoid a relegation scrap. The Basques have taken just 2 points from their last 8 away games heading into this match.

Having both won their last games, there should be few changes from either side. Javi Calleja has more options in terms of mixing things up but he may go for the creative influence of Moi Gomez again out wide rather than recall Samu Chukwueze with the visitors likely to sit deep and leave little space for Villarreal’s faster forward players to run into.

Villarreal vs Alaves Predictions

Score Prediction: 3-1 Villarreal

Alaves may enjoy a terrific record in recent meetings with Villarreal but it’s hard to make a strong case for them here. They’ve been poor on the road so far this term and have looked less solid defensively than last term when they were invariably tough to break down even on their travels. That hasn’t been the case of late with 7 conceded in their last 3 away league games and they may come up short against free-scoring Villarreal here.

Villarreal vs Alaves H2H

• Last 6 meetings: 1 Villarreal Win, 5 Alaves Wins.
• Alaves have enjoyed much the better of the recent meetings – winning each of the last 3.
• They’ve won on all 3 league visits to the Ceramica since returning to the top flight in 2016.
• Villarreal’s last home win against Alaves came way back in March 2006 (3-2) with Juan Román Riquelme bagging a brace that day.

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Predicted Line Ups

Villarreal Team:

Asenjo – Moreno, Albiol, Torres, Pena – Anguissa, Iborra, Cazorla – Gomez, Moreno, Ekambi (4-2-3-1)

Alaves Team:

Pacheco – Duarte, Laguardia, Magallan, Aguirregabiria – Rioja, Wakaso, Garcia, Vidal – Perez, Joselu (4-4-2)