Alaves vs Girona: La Liga Preview, Team News & Prediction

Alaves and Girona face each other at Mendizorrotza Stadium on Monday night in a La Liga contest with differing motivations. Alaves, currently 14th in the table, are looking to solidify their position above the relegation zone, while Girona aim to continue their climb up the standings.

Alaves have accumulated 26 points from 24 league matches, holding a narrow two-point advantage over the bottom three teams – Mallorca, Levante, and Real Oviedo. Their recent form has been mixed, securing seven points from their last four Spanish top-flight games, including a 1-1 draw against Sevilla in their most recent outing. At home, Eduardo Coudet’s side have been relatively strong, earning 18 points from 12 matches with a record of five wins, three draws, and four defeats.

Historically, Alaves have had the upper hand in encounters with Girona, winning 10 of their 30 matches. However, the reverse fixture earlier this season saw Girona emerge victorious with a 1-0 win.

Girona, meanwhile, are riding high on confidence after a significant 2-1 victory over reigning champions Barcelona. Michel’s team have won four of their last seven league matches, with their only defeat being a surprising 1-0 loss to bottom-placed Real Oviedo. They currently occupy 12th position in the league, five points outside of the relegation zone and, notably, only five points behind seventh-placed Celta Vigo, indicating their ambitions for a higher finish.

Girona’s away form has yielded 13 points from 12 matches this season. Their recent success against Barcelona will be a significant morale boost as they travel to face Alaves.

Alaves will be bolstered by the return of Jonny Otto from suspension. However, they will be without Ville Koski and Carlos Protesoni due to injury. Toni Martinez, who impressed in the draw against Sevilla, is expected to lead the attack, supported by Carles Alena and Lucas Boye in the final third.

Girona face a setback with Joel Roca suspended following his sending-off against Barcelona. Azzedine Ounahi, Alex Moreno, Juan Carlos, Portu, and Donny van de Beek remain sidelined with injuries, leaving Michel’s side depleted. Head coach Michel may opt to field the same starting eleven that defeated Barcelona, with Thomas Lemar featuring in the attack.

The possible starting lineups are as follows: Alaves – Sivera; Tenaglia, Garces, Pacheco, Otto; Calebe, Blanco, Suarez, Alena; Martinez, Boye. Girona – Gazzaniga; Rincon, Reis, Blind, Martinez; Tsygankov, Lemar, Witsel, Martin, Gil; Vanat.