Deportivo Alaves will host Real Sociedad this Thursday at the Estadio Mendizorrotza in what this their round of 29 La Liga game.
The hosts head into the game on the back of a two-nil loss to Espanyol last time out. They currently occupy 15th place and will be looking at picking all three points here to avoid any serious relegation fight as they are just seven points above the drop.
The visitors meanwhile currently occupy the fourth position on the table and will be looking at continuing an impressive season that has seen them defy all expectations. They head into the game on the back of a 1:1 draw with Osasuna last time out.
Imanol Alguacil’s side will be looking to shake off any rustiness and recover the form that saw them record four wins in five games before the season hiatus.
Team News
Alaves will have goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco missing for this tie from a straight red card offense in their last outing. The goalkeeper who was given his marching orders for handling outside the area will miss this game with second-choice goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez, expected to fill in in his absence.
Meanwhile, Lucas Perez, Manu Garcia, and Aleix Vidal Parreu are injury doubts for Asier Garitano’s side.
Real Sociedad is expected to start the same line-up that drew against Osasuna last time out, with Martin Odegaard and captain Mikel Oyarzabal expected to run the show for the visitors. Meanwhile, Mikel Merino will miss this tie through suspension, while Ander Guevera is an injury doubt for this game. Lucas Sangalli remains the other long-term absentee with an ankle injury.
Head to head
The last five meetings between both teams have seen Real Sociedad win three times, with the other games ending in an Alaves win and a goalless draw. The reverse fixture ended in a 3:0 win for Real Sociedad, making it the only time that matches between them in the last five games witnessed more than a single goal.
Team Form
Alaves last five games in all competitions: LDDWL
Real Sociedad last five games in all competitions: DWLWW
Betting Preview
Deportivo Alaves go into this tie as betting outsiders being the 8th team in the form table. They will be hoping to gather some momentum as they have recorded just one win in their last five games.
However, the home team has been undone recently by a defense that has kept just a single clean sheet in 14 league games. The “Babazorros” defensive record for the season is one the worst in La Liga, with 39 goals shipped in 28 games.
The bulk of these goals (18) have come in the first half with only one team recording more first-half loss than the hosts in the League. The hosts have picked up just 21 points in the first half of matches (W2, D15, L11), making them the worst side for first-half results. This is further amplified at home as Asier Garitano’s boys have not recorded a first-half goal in 11 out of 14 of their home league games.
Sociedad meanwhile head into the tie with three wins from their last five La Liga games.
The away team enter the tie as favorites and have not lost in over 85% of the matches they have entered as betting favorites.
Sociedad are one of the best La Liga sides on the road this season with six wins (D2, L6) in the 14 games they have played away from home this season. They have also developed the habit of scoring first in these away games with 50% of their away goals coming in the first 30 minutes.
Incidentally, the first halves of seven of their away games have witnessed over 1.5 goals. However, eight of these 14 away games have ended level at the break.
Suggested Bets
Real Sociedad win both halves @ 9/4
Under 3.5 Goals @2/9
Both Teams to Score/No @ 17/20
