Alavés vs Espanyol betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions and odds

Deportivo Alavés vs Espanyol betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions and odds

Updated: July 25, 2022 at 9:56 pm GMT+1

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Espanyol are unbeaten in four meetings with Alavés, winning all three encounters in Catalonia in this period. However, Espanyol have only won two of their last 11 visits to Mendizorrotza, leaving victorious in 2014 and 2016.

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Under 2.5 goals is 8/11.

Under 2.5 goals and both teams to score NO is 6/5.

Alavés to win and both teams to score NO is 11/4.

Joselu has scored 13 of Alavés' 28 goals so far this season. He is 7/2 to break the deadlock and 6/5 to add to this tally.

Match preview

RCD Espanyol v FC Barcelona - La Liga Santander BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 13: Raul de Tomas of RCD Espanyol celebrates scoring their teams second goal with team mates during the LaLiga Santander match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at RCDE Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

After Saturday’s hammering at Balaídos, Alavés’ relegation is almost confirmed.

At the weekend, they were hammered 4-0 by Celta Vigo; Ximo Navarro enduring a miserable evening, scoring an own goal and then getting sent off seven minutes later.

Before this, Julio Velázquez's team had shown signs of life, winning back-to-back home games against Rayo Vallecano and Villarreal.

Now though, el Glorioso are back at the bottom of the table, six points from safety with just three matches to play.

If they're beaten here, the Basque side's six-year stay in the Primera División could come to an end.

RCD Espanyol meanwhile suffered an ignominious relegation of their own in 2020, before bouncing back as Segunda champions last year.

Thus, the fact Vicente Moreno's men are 13th, on 40 points and safe from relegation is a success.

However, on a more micro-level, Blanquiazules are now winless in four, losing three in a row before Sunday's 1-1 draw with Osasuna.

At the weekend, Nico Melamed's equaliser at RCDE Stadium helped earn a point, ending the losing streak.

Will Alavés keep their survival hopes alive for another few days at least with a win at Mendizorroza?

Deportivo Alavés team news

Deportivo Alaves v Real Madrid CF - La Liga

Joselu remains Alavés' main man having scored 46.4% of their La Liga goals on his own this season.

He'll continue to lead the line with Luis Rioja and Édgar Méndez on the flanks.

Ximo Navarro, covering at left-back, had a nightmare at Balaídos, scoring an own goal before being shown a red card.

The latter means he is suspended, so Javi López or Martín Aguirregabiria will come in at full-back.

Espanyol team news

La Liga 2021/2022, RCD Espanyol - Real Madrid CF Raul de Tomas (RCD Espanyol) celebrates after scoring, during La Liga soccer match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF, at Cornella-El Prat Stadium on October 3, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. Foto: Siu Wu. (Photo by Siu Wu/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Espanyol's main man for goals Raúl de Tomás, who's scored 15 so far this season, was actually left on the bench at the weekend.

This was the first time R.D.T. had been on the bench since May last year, so it's likely that he'll return to the XI for this one.

Wǔ Lěi will probably be back on the bench, despite his recent injury time winner against Rayo.

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