H2H: Alaves vs. Valladolid – Prediction (La Liga

Preview and Teams Comparison.

Alavés are unbeaten in their last seven LaLiga games against Real Valladolid (W5 D2), after losing five of their previous nine against them in the competition (W3 D1 L5).

Though unable to collect points in consecutive weeks since their opening three La Liga (LL) fixtures, CD Alavés can take encouragement from their home form. If considering home form only, they remain unbeaten in three two-goal fixtures (W2, D1), with each producing 0-0 results at the break. Lisandro Magallán (ALA) has been booked in three of his last four starts. Alavés’ +5 goal difference in second halves at home has helped them remain unbeaten as a home favourite (W2, D1) this LL season, despite failing to score a single home goal inside the first half. Controversial flashpoints are likely though, with no team collecting more yellow cards at home after 12 LL rounds than Alavés’ 20.

Three of the last four H2H meetings have seen both teams contribute to a final result with over 2.5 total goals. Referee Mario Melero López has awarded an average of six yellow cards per-game this LL season. Three of the five occasions on which Valladolid have conceded the opener on the road have resulted in losses by a margin of two or more goals.

Prior to their 5-1 demolition at Barcelona (Oct 29), Valladolid had conceded just one first-half goal on the road, with that sequence including four 0-0 half-time scorelines. This helped them on the way to their equal-best 12-week result in any LL season this decade. Joaquín Fernández (VAL) found his first LL goal of the season last round, whilst also contributing to Valladolid’s 2-2 draw at Alavés last season. Reading too much into the defeat at Barcelona is unwise, as Real Valladolid have picked up points in four of seven league fixtures entered as an away outsider (W2, D2, L3). This is thanks mainly to three equalising or match-winning goals recorded inside the final 20 minutes (plus stoppage-time) across those league trips.