Alaves will lock horns with Sevilla in a Spanish La Liga clash at the Mendizorrotza Stadium. The hosts have begun the season well, while the visitors are slowly finding their rhythm after a slow start.
Alaves head into this clash off the back of a 1-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao last time out in La Liga, with Alex Berenguer’s own-goal proving the difference. That result maintains a solid start to the season as they are unbeaten in three of their four League matches so far.
The Mendizorrotza Stadium is slowly becoming a fortress for Alaves, who are unbeaten in their last six La Liga home matches. Eduardo Coudet's team earned a 2-1 victory over Levante in their opening fixture this season and have also held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw in front of their fans.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Sevilla, who have picked up just one win in their opening four La Liga matches. They are coming off a 2-2 home draw with Elche in their previous fixture.
While things have undoubtedly been tough for Sevilla, manager Matias Almeyda will believe they are turning a corner. Having begun their campaign with two straight defeats, they are now unbeaten in two matches, with a 2-0 victory at Girona preceding the draw with Elche.
How the bookies view it: Slight edge for Alaves
Alaves have the slight edge among the bookies and are priced at 7/5 by BoyleSports to claim the victory. A win for Sevilla is valued at 19/10 while a draw is set at odds of 2/1.
Head to head: Level pegging for both sides
Sevilla have an 8-5 edge with six draws from 19 previous matches against Alaves. However, the hosts are unbeaten in the last four meetings, picking up three wins in this run, including a 2-1 victory in last season's clash at the Mendizorrotza Stadium.
Players to watch: Eyes on Vicente
Carlos Vicente has looked lively this season and is already off the mark. The Spanish forward has a solid partnership with Toni Martinez, and both men can combine to score over 0.5 goals for the hosts (Alaves over 0.5 goals – priced at 1/3 with Stake).
Isaac Romero has scored two goals this season and could be the one to watch for Sevilla. Lucien Agoume also carries a threat from midfield, and both men can ensure the visitors score over 0.5 goals – valued at odds of 2/5).
Probable line-ups:
Alaves will be without Nikola Maras and Carlos Protesoni due to injuries. Nahuel Tenaglia and Facundo Garces are expected to line up in defence. While Martinez and Vicente could be given the nod up front.
Sevilla have injury concerns ahead of this game, with Chidera Ejuke, Akor Adams and Joan Jordan all ruled out. However, coach Almeyda can call on the likes of Orjan Nyland, Cesar Azpilicueta, Nemanja Gudelj, Lucien Agoume and Romero from the start.
Alaves: Sivera, Diarra, Tenaglia, Garces, Castro, Blanco, Ibanez, Alena, Guridi, Vicente, Martinez
Sevilla: Nyland, Azpilicueta, Nianzou, Marcao, Sanchez, Gudelj, Mendy, Gonzalez, Vargas, Agoume, Romero
Anything else catch the eye?
Alaves have won at least one half in three of the last four matches against Sevilla (Alaves to win either half – offered at 5/6 with BoyleSports). The hosts have also grabbed the opening goal in three of the last four meetings (Alaves to score first – valued at Evens).
Both teams have scored in the last four matches between Alaves and Sevilla (BTTS YES – available at 20/21).
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