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Villarreal CF vs. Deportivo Alaves
While the winter break has begun in Germany, other leagues are still kicking over the festive period and this week. In the Spanish La Liga, games are still being made up and on Tuesday Villarreal will host Deportivo Alaves. Actually, this match should have taken place on matchday 4, but it was postponed and will now be made up. For a long time, things were not really going well for the home side, but with 2 wins from the last 2 games, including against San Sebastian, the situation looks much more solid again, even if the team certainly has other expectations than 11th place.
On the other hand, they have sensationally advanced in the Champions League and are in the round of 16 thanks to a great performance against Bergamo. The visitors from Alaves will probably fight against relegation for the whole season and are in 18th place with 15 points. Everything is still within reach, yet it will almost certainly be a season of struggle and perseverance. Find out who we think has the better chance on Tuesday in this Villarreal – Alaves tip.
Villarreal – Alaves Info
– Date & Time: 21.12.2021, 19:00 Uhr
– Venue: Esadio de la Ceramica (Villarreal)
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 4 (Catch-up match)
– TV broadcast: In Livestream at DAZN
Villarreal Form & Balance Check
So far, the season has not really gone according to the Spaniards’ expectations and with 22 points after 17 games, no one is really satisfied. Consistency was always lacking and only in the Champions League did the team show its class time and again. But since the fantastic entry into the round of 16 and the victory over Bergamo, the team has clearly picked up and won 4 games in a row, including against San Sebastian, who are in first place in Europe. With a win on Tuesday, the team could move to within 4 points of the Basques.
Can Villarreal still reach European competition?
The squad is one of the best in the league and anything less than reaching international competition would be a disappointment for “the yellow submarine”. Accordingly, the senses of players and officials will be sharpened and the next games must almost all be won for them to keep up. The two upcoming games against Alaves and Levante are duels in which Villarreal must definitely score three points. Otherwise they can put any ambitions of playing internationally out of their minds.
Villarreal facts & analysis
– Last won 4 competitive games in a row.
– 11th place in the table
– The fourth best defence in the league
Alaves Form & Balance Check
The team from the north of Spain has established itself in the top Spanish division in recent years and is now completing its 6th consecutive season in the top flight. The seasons were sometimes more, sometimes less successful, but a slight but steady decline in performances and rankings can be seen so far. In the inaugural season, they even finished the season in the top half of the table, but in the last two years they just managed to stay in the league and finished 16th. This season, too, it seems to be all about staying in the league.
All hopes are on Joselu
Probably the most important player in the Basque squad is a former Bundesliga player, namely Joselu. The tall striker has scored 8 of the 13 goals so far this season and is almost single-handedly responsible for the team’s goals. Should the player get injured, things could get very uncomfortable for Alaves. We are curious to see if the goal scorer can ultimately shoot his team to stay in the relegation zone or if they will have to go down to the 2nd division.
Alaves facts & analysis
– Alaves have scored the fewest goals of all first division teams
– They have only won one game away from home
– Joselu was directly involved in 9 of the 13 goals
Predicted line-up – last update on 20 December 2021
For the home side, we don’t expect too many personnel changes. Danjuma could return and Chukwueze is also an option on the wing after his last-minute goal against San Sebastian. Gerard Moreno, who made an impressive comeback with a brace, will start again in the attack. The visitors could make a change or two in terms of personnel and Tirlea and Pellistri are options for the starting eleven.
Villarreal – Alaves direct comparison & stats
Exactly 20 times these two have met in La Liga and surprisingly, Alavas are slightly ahead in the direct comparison. Indeed, they could win 10 games, while Villarreal have only managed to do so 9 times.
– The comparisons between the two clubs last season: 3-1 (home to Villarreal CF) and 2-1 (home to Deportivo Alaves).
– When Villarreal CF lead 1-0 in home games, they win 86% of the matches
– Deportivo Alaves’ away record this season: 1 wins – 2 draws – 5 losses
