As the Spanish La Liga season reaches a crucial stage, all eyes will be on the upcoming clash between FC Barcelona and Alavés. These two teams have a long-standing rivalry, with their matches often providing thrilling encounters for football fans. In this article, we’ll delve into the predicted lineups, key players to watch, and tactical insights that could shape the outcome of this highly anticipated match.
Previous Encounters Between FC Barcelona and Alavés
FC Barcelona and Alavés have faced each other on numerous occasions in the past, with the Blaugrana holding a clear advantage in the head-to-head record. Over the years, these two teams have met a total of 23 times in various competitions, with FC Barcelona winning 16 of those matches, Alavés emerging victorious on 4 occasions, and 3 games ending in a draw.
The most recent encounter between the two sides took place in September 2021, where FC Barcelona secured a comfortable 4-1 victory at the Camp Nou. Goals from Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong, and a brace from Luuk de Jong ensured that the Catalan giants continued their dominance over Alavés.
Predicted Lineups for FC Barcelona Against Alavés
FC Barcelona Predicted Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen
- Defenders: Jordi Alba, Ronald Araújo, Gerard Piqué, Sergi Roberto
- Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Pedri
- Forwards: Ousmane Dembélé, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
Alavés Predicted Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Fernando Pacheco
- Defenders: Rubén García, Víctor Laguardia, Florian Lejeune, Sergio Camello
- Midfielders: Gonzalo Escalante, Tomás Pina, Javi López
- Forwards: Mamadou Sylla, Luis Rioja, Joselu
Key Players to Watch in the Match
FC Barcelona:
- Robert Lewandowski: The prolific Polish striker has been in scintillating form since joining FC Barcelona, and he will be the focal point of the Blaugrana’s attacking efforts.
- Pedri: The young Spanish midfielder has been a revelation for FC Barcelona, showcasing his exceptional vision, passing, and ball-control abilities.
- Ousmane Dembélé: The French winger’s pace, dribbling, and creativity could be a constant threat to the Alavés defense.
Alavés:
- Joselu: The experienced Spanish striker has been Alavés’ main goal-scoring threat and will be looking to cause problems for the FC Barcelona backline.
- Víctor Laguardia: The veteran defender will be tasked with organizing the Alavés defense and trying to keep the FC Barcelona attackers at bay.
- Luis Rioja: The winger’s ability to create chances and stretch the opposition defense could be crucial for Alavés’ chances of securing a positive result.
Tactics and Strategies Expected to be Used by FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona, under the guidance of Xavi Hernández, are expected to employ their signature possession-based style of play, dominating the ball and dictating the tempo of the game. The Blaugrana will look to control the midfield battle and create opportunities through intricate passing and movement.
Defensively, FC Barcelona will likely press high up the pitch, looking to win the ball back quickly and launch counter-attacks. The team’s fullbacks, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto, will play an important role in providing width and supporting the attacking players.
Alavés, on the other hand, may adopt a more defensive and compact approach, looking to frustrate FC Barcelona and hit them on the counter-attack. The visitors will likely rely on their physical presence and organization to disrupt the Blaugrana’s rhythm and create chances through set-pieces or quick transitions.
Recent Form and Performance of FC Barcelona and Alavés
FC Barcelona:
FC Barcelona have been in impressive form lately, with their recent run of results showcasing their resurgence as a force to be reckoned with in La Liga. The Catalan giants have won 4 of their last 5 league matches, with their only blemish being a draw against Girona.
The team’s attacking prowess has been on full display, with the likes of Lewandowski, Dembélé, and Pedri leading the charge. Defensively, FC Barcelona have also shown signs of improvement, with the backline providing a solid foundation for the team’s success.
Alavés:
Alavés, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistent form this season. The Basque club has managed to win only 2 of their last 5 La Liga matches, leaving them in the lower half of the table.
The team’s main concern has been their inability to score goals, with their attack lacking the necessary cutting edge. Defensively, Alavés have also been vulnerable at times, conceding several goals in their recent outings.
Injury Updates for Both Teams
FC Barcelona:
- Ousmane Dembélé is expected to be available for the match after recovering from a minor injury.
- Andreas Christensen is a doubt due to a hamstring issue and may miss the game.
- Memphis Depay is still recovering from a thigh problem and is unlikely to feature.
Alavés:
- Rubén García is a doubt for the match due to a muscle injury.
- Tomás Pina is expected to be available after overcoming a recent setback.
- Javi López is likely to miss the game due to an ongoing injury concern.
Head-to-Head Statistics and Historical Performances
As mentioned earlier, FC Barcelona have a clear advantage in the head-to-head record against Alavés. The Blaugrana have won 16 of the 23 matches between the two sides, with Alavés managing just 4 victories.
In terms of historical performances, FC Barcelona have typically dominated the proceedings, showcasing their superior quality and experience. The Catalan giants have scored a total of 49 goals against Alavés, while conceding just 18 in return.
One notable statistic is that FC Barcelona have not lost a home match against Alavés since 1999, a run that spans 18 games. This impressive record highlights the Blaugrana’s dominance at the Camp Nou, which they will be eager to maintain in the upcoming encounter.
Expert Predictions and Betting Odds for the Match
Expert Predictions:
- Most experts predict a comfortable victory for FC Barcelona, with the Blaugrana expected to secure all three points.
- Some analysts believe that Alavés may be able to frustrate FC Barcelona and potentially snatch a draw, given the visitors’ defensive organization and the Blaugrana’s recent defensive vulnerabilities.
- A few pundits have suggested that Alavés could pull off a surprise upset, but they acknowledge that it would be a significant challenge against the in-form Catalan giants.
Betting Odds:
- FC Barcelona are the overwhelming favorites to win the match, with most bookmakers offering odds of around 1.25 for a Blaugrana victory.
- Alavés are considered the underdogs, with odds ranging from 10.00 to 15.00 for an away win.
- The odds for a draw are typically around 6.00, reflecting the general consensus that Alavés may struggle to secure a positive result against the might of FC Barcelona.
Conclusion
The upcoming clash between FC Barcelona and Alavés promises to be an intriguing encounter, with the Blaugrana looking to maintain their momentum and extend their dominance over the Basque club. While Alavés will undoubtedly put up a fight, the quality and depth of FC Barcelona’s squad, coupled with their recent form, suggest that the Catalan giants should emerge victorious.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates and analysis on the FC Barcelona vs Alavés match. Be sure to follow our social media channels and website for the most comprehensive coverage of this exciting La Liga clash.
