As May 13 rolls around, Barcelona's relentless pursuit of the La Liga title brings them to Mendizorrotza Stadium for a clash with Alavés. This isn't just another game; it's a stark contrast between a team eyeing glory and one fighting for survival.
Alavés has shown flashes of fight lately, but their form's been patchy. They stumbled with a 2-4 loss to Athletic Club on May 2, yet picked up wins against RCD Mallorca on April 25 and Real Madrid on April 21. Those draws against Real Sociedad and CA Osasuna earlier in April kept things interesting, though they've struggled to string together consistent results. And while Toni Martínez has been their go-to scorer, the absence of Lucas Boyé due to a hamstring injury, plus suspensions for Facundo Garcés and Carles Aleñá, leaves them shorthanded.
Barcelona, on the other hand, looks like the team to beat. They've racked up wins like the 2-0 away at Getafe on April 25 and a 4-1 thrashing of Espanyol on April 11, despite that slip-up with a 1-2 loss to Atlético Madrid on April 4. Their earlier victories, including a 1-0 over Rayo Vallecano and a 5-2 romp against Sevilla FC, underline a dominant run. It's no surprise they're sitting pretty at the top with 89 points from 35 games. But they've got issues too—Lamine Yamal, their top scorer with 28 goals, is sidelined with a muscle tear, alongside Raphinha and Andreas Christensen out with injuries.
Sitting in 18th with just 37 points, Alavés is deep in the relegation mire, battling teams like Levante UD and Real Oviedo. They're up against a Barcelona side that's not only leading the title race but also boasts a superior goal difference of +58 compared to Alavés's -13. That gap says it all about the challenge ahead.
Don't overlook Toni Martínez for Alavés; he's been crucial with his goals, much like Lucas Boyé was before his injury. Over on Barcelona's side, even without Yamal, their depth should shine through. I reckon Barcelona's quality will overpower Alavés here—they should come out on top given their form and league dominance.
We expect a straightforward win for the visitors, but let's not ignore the potential for goals. Alavés might scrap for one, yet Barcelona's attack could overwhelm them.
Recommended Bets
Bet 1 @1.40 — Barcelona to win, considering their strong recent form with four wins in five and top spot in the league.
Bet 2 @1.80 — Over 2.5 goals, as both teams have featured in high-scoring matches lately, like Alavés's 3-3 draw and Barcelona's 5-2 win.
Bet 3 @2.50 — Barcelona to win to nil, based on their clean sheet in the recent 2-0 victory and Alavés's defensive woes.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
