Alaves host Real Betis at the Estadio Mendizorroza early on Sunday evening when North meets South in a clash where both teams are out to claim their first victory of the season.
Real Betis got their tenth successive La Liga campaign off to a reasonable start drawing against last season's surprise package Girona. Girona had the lion's share of it despite Betis registering 19 shots. A midweek trip to Ukraine will not have been the best preparation for this but they did win nicely.
Alaves knocked Betis out of the Copa Del Rey last season and will be hoping for a repeat in front of their home fans after letting a lead slip against Celta Vigo in their opening game of the season.
How the bookies view it: Home soil advantage to aide Alaves
Despite losing their first game, with Betis busy in midweek, the edge is given to the home side. Alaves have won four of their last six home games and are currently best priced around 11/8, while the away team are unbeaten in three and they've looked looked solid so far, which makes 9/4 somewhat appealing. To end all square which is often the case in this matchup, 21/10 holds value.
Recent head-to-heads: All set for an action packed break from the norm
The previous two league meetings between these two have ended in draws, with only two goals scored across 180 minutes. Betis won both games before that and come here looking to get their season up and running with another push for Europe.
Alaves have only won twice over the previous seven years, drawing five and losing five, but with their Copa Del Rey success fresh in the memory, they should prove a tough nut to crack.
Players to watch: Who will make the difference
With long-standing club legend Joaquin retiring last season and the rejuvenated Isco on the sidelines, eyes will be on the likes of Nabil Fekir whose skill and flair will be needed if a stubborn Alaves are to be broken down. Supporting him will be ex-West Ham man Pablo Fornals who can offer something from the flanks.
Luis Rioja will provide the creativity for Alaves from a wide position and the result may hinge on the impact he has on the game, or his delivery from set pieces. Veteran striker Kike scored for them last time but Asier Villalibre will be hoping to get involved despite likely feeding off scraps.
Predicted line-ups:
Antonio Blanco was signed last year and played an important part in the Alaves midfield, he should be ok to go for this match, but is still questionable with an injury. Defender Nahuel Tenaglia is a minor doubt, but manager Luis Garcia looks to have most of his team available.
Manuel Pellegrini should be without Cedric Bakambu and Nobel Mendy, with the team's creative spark Isco also absent.
Alaves: Sivera, Sanchez, Diarra, Abqar, Tenaglia, Blanco, Guevara, Conechny, Guridi, Romero, Kike
Real Betis: Rui Silva, Perraud, Llorente, Bartra, Sabaly, Roca, Carvalho, Ruibal, Fekir, Fornals, Juanmi
Anything else catch the eye?
Early season games are hard to predict and the mid-week fixture can't have helped Betis, they do look to be facing Alaves at the right time however, having lost a lead last week with a scattering of injuries.
Alaves have avoided defeat in twelve of the previous fourteen home games, scoring in thirteen of those. Both teams have scored in seven of the nine previous Alaves games which should be music to the ears of a flamboyant Betis. An open affair is expected despite the results over recent years, and Betis won't want to drop any more points, which should set things up nicely.
I expect Betis to start strong and continue their early season exploits by controlling the game and frustrating their opponents. It will be a close game, but give the edge to Betis despite the odds.
This La Liga match between Alaves and Real Betis will be played on Aug 25, 2024 and kick off at 18:15. Check below for our tipsters best Alaves vs Real Betis prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
