Alavés vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 16/07/2020, 22:51  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 16/07/2020 at 22:55 in LaLiga Predictions

Deportivo Alaves secured their stay in La Liga on Thursday and will be looking to wrap up the season on a high when they welcome Barcelona in the final round of matches in the league. Going to the match, Alaves have managed 39 points so far and are placed 15th while second placed Barcelona have collected 79 points. In their last match, Alaves secured the needed three points in a 2-1 win over Real Betis, which ensured they will not be relegated after a tough season. However, Alaves had to endure a difficult ending to the game, as Betis pulled a late goal and both sides had a man sent off in stoppage time. It in effect means Rodrigo Ely, who scored against Betis, will not be available for the Barcelona match but with survival secured, his absence may not be felt. The win was their second in the 10 matches that have come after lockdown and Alaves will hope getting to play at home in the final game delivers three more points. They have seven losses in the last 10 matches and have also failed to score in seven while keeping just two clean sheets. The home side will hope for a better performance in attack too, as they have scored in just two of their last eight matches. In 18 home league matches this season, Alaves have managed seven wins and seven clean sheets but have won just one of their last five at home and in the last 10 home league games, they have kept just two clean sheets.

Barcelona, on the other hand, have their season in the league all settled. They will finish second and on a low after losing their final home game on Thursday, when they fell to Osasuna. Barcelona had to claw back after conceding in the 15th minute, and Lionel Messi provided the equalizer in the second half but even with a man down, Osasuna still shocked their hosts, with Roberto Torres’ stoppage time goal. While Barca are known for a lethal attack, the match produced another under par defensive performance and they remain the side with the weakest defence in the top four, having conceded 38 in 37 matches. They have lost just twice between July and March but three draws after the resumption of football turned very costly for the Catalans. Barca have lost once in their last 11 matches and will now hope for a strong finish and have done well away from home, going unbeaten in their last five on the road. Five of their six losses in La Liga this season have come on the road and they will be keen to avoid a sixth, but having beaten Alaves in each of their last seven matches, they will head there as favorites. The reverse fixture at Camp Nou ended 4-1 in favor of Barcelona, who have scored at least two goals in each of their last seven encounters with Alaves.