La Liga’s evening game on Saturday sees in-form Alaves host Barcelona at the Estadio de Mendizorroza as the visitors look for crucial points in the race for a top-four finish in the Spanish top-flight.
Alaves in top formThe home team recorded a third straight La Liga win last time out, as they won 3-0 at Almeria. The game also saw Luis Garcia’s team extend their unbeaten run in the Spanish top-flight to four games.
The recent strong spell of form has moved Alaves ten points clear of the relegation zone. They may now look up the table rather than nervously over their shoulders.
Alaves have a slightly inconsistent recent record on home soil in La Liga. However, their record of just three wins in the previous eight outings at the Mendizorroza in the Spanish top flight is not a great one.
Barcelona bounced back against OsasunaThe reigning Spanish champions recovered from an incredible 5-3 home weekend defeat by Villarreal with a midweek 1-0 home win over Osasuna, with Vitor Roque scoring his first La Liga goal.
Barcelona have been in decent recent form in the Spanish top flight, winning four of their last five matches. The Blaugrana have also scored at least two goals in four of their last five La Liga matches.
The decent run has kept Xavi’s team in the top four of the table, with fifth-place Athletic Club five points behind.
The visitors have been difficult to beat on their travels of late in the Spanish top-flight, as they are unbeaten in their last ten away games, having recorded back-to-back away wins at Las Palmas and Real Betis.
What am I backing?I believe this could be a reasonably close encounter. The bet I am backing is the away victory, as Barcelona have been relatively strong on their travels of late, and Alaves are slightly unconvincing on home soil.
