Barcelona are looking to avoid losing three competitive matches in a row for the first time in more than a decade when they host an Alavés side chasing H2H history.
Match News and Current Form
A 2-1 defeat in last weekend’s El Clásico against Real Madrid cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to just two points after ten rounds. It was their second defeat in a row having also been beaten by PSG in Europe, but the Blaugrana are expected to bounce back as they have lost back-to-back league games just once under Hansi Flick. The Camp Nou faithful will hope this match can help trigger a new winning run, as Barcelona had won 23 successive league fixtures as hosts before last weekend’s defeat, while they haven't lost two La Liga home games in succession since December 2024.
Alavés scored a late equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw against Málaga last time out, avoiding a third successive loss in the process. They are still winless in six games (D2, L4), their longest such run in La Liga since January 2025, which has undone some of the positives of a four-game unbeaten start to the league campaign (W3, D1). El Glorioso face a difficult task in reviving their campaign especially as they are yet to win on the road this season (D2, L2), and manager Quique Sánchez Flores is unlikely to carry any confidence given that he’s never won a La Liga away game against Barcelona (D2, L5).
Head-to-Head History
Barcelona were on their longest unbeaten H2H run against Alavés in La Liga (W14, D2) before losing 1-0 to them in May. Alavés could now post consecutive H2H wins in the competition for only the second time, but they remain on their longest run without a win away at Barcelona in La Liga (D1, L7).
Hot Stats and Streaks
The half-time result has been replicated at full-time in nine of Barcelona’s ten league games this season.
Nineteen of Barcelona’s last 24 La Liga home wins produced over 2.5 goals.
Alavés are yet to concede within the first 30 minutes this season.
Alavés have scored exactly once in six of their last seven away league games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Raphinha is La Liga’s pre-round top scorer (13) this term, and while he is yet to score a H2H goal, he’s registered three assists across his last three H2Hs. Alavés’ Lucas Boyé has also failed to score in his eight La Liga H2Hs, only facing two clubs more in La Liga without netting.
Xavi Espart went off injured in Barcelona’s last game, while Dani Olmo missed out altogether. Alavés look to have no fresh issues.
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Betting Analysis
Barcelona will be out for a response after consecutive defeats, so a home win and over 2.5 goals looks a strong possibility.
Author: Sridhar Bhamidi