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1 week ago
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Alaves will have the chance to make it four consecutive games without defeat when they travel to the Stage Front Stadium for Saturday's La Liga meeting with Espanyol.
The Basque side are in sixth place with seven points to their name, while the visitors are in 14th position after collecting four points from as many matches.
Match preview
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After winning promotion via the playoffs last season, Espanyol made a slow start to their La Liga campaign, suffering consecutive 1-0 defeats to Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad.
However, they subsequently built some much-needed confidence with a hard-fought goalless away draw against Atletico Madrid, laying the foundations for them to record a narrow win over Rayo Vallecano in their final outing before the international break.
Carlos Romero cancelled out Alvaro Garcia's fourth-minute opener, before Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alejo Veliz netted a dramatic 96th-minute winner to spark wild scenes of jubilation at the Stage Front Stadium.
Espanyol will hope to give their supporters another win to celebrate in Saturday's contest as they look to record home victories in La Liga for the first time since March/April 2022.
The hosts may be able to draw inspiration from the fact they have won each of their last three home matches against Alaves, including a 1-0 victory in their most recent home encounter in September 2021.
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After finishing in 10th place last season, Alaves have the tough task of replicating that success in the 2024-25 campaign.
They will be encouraged by the fact they have made a positive start to the new season, recovering from an opening-day defeat to put together a three-game unbeaten run.
Luis Garcia's charges played out a goalless draw with Real Betis, before they beat 10-man Real Sociedad 2-1 and recorded a 2-0 home victory over Las Palmas.
After extending their unbeaten home run to six league matches before the international period, Alaves return from the two-week break with a road trip and hopes of recording back-to-back away wins for just the second time in 2024.
However, that may be easier said than done because Alaves have failed to win any of their last eight competitive away meetings with Espanyol (D2, L8) since they recorded a 2-1 victory in March 2002.
Espanyol La Liga form:
Alaves La Liga form:
Team News
© Imago
Espanyol defender Edu Exposito is continuing to work on his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury which has kept him out of action since January.
The defensive duo of Fernando Calero and Leandro Cabrera are doubts due to ankle and muscle problems respectively.
After opening his La Liga account against Rayo, Veliz will have the chance to score in a second straight game when he leads the line in Saturday's home fixture.
As for the visitors, they will have to cope without the services of full-back Hugo Novoa, who suffered an injury on international duty with the Spain Under-21 side.
With Novoa unavailable, Nahuel Tenaglia is set to retain his spot on the right side of a backline featuring Abdel Abqar, Aleksandar Sedlar and Manu Sanchez.
Summer signing Toni Martinez is pushing for a starting place after scoring in his first two substitute appearances as an Alaves player.
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Gomez; Tejero, Gragera, Kral, Romero; Jofre, Puado, Veliz
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Silvera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, Sanchez; Blanco, Guevera; Vicente, Guridi, Conechny; Martinez
We say: Espanyol 1-1 Alaves
Espanyol will be targeting another victory after getting the better of Rayo in their last outing, but we think they will have to settle for a point when they face an Alaves side who are unbeaten in three matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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