Valencia vs Deportivo Alaves Prediction, Match Preview, Sunday, March 8th

Valencia will face Deportivo Alavés in a LaLiga clash at the Estadio Mestalla on Sunday, March 8th. This match is crucial for both teams as they look to secure valuable points in the league standings. Valencia, playing at home, will aim to leverage their familiarity with the Estadio Mestalla to gain an advantage over their opponents.

Deportivo Alavés, on the other hand, will be eager to challenge Valencia and improve their position in the LaLiga table. Both teams have shown varying forms this season, making this encounter an intriguing one for fans and bettors alike. With the stakes high, the Estadio Mestalla is set to witness a competitive battle as these two Spanish sides go head-to-head.

Valencia vs Deportivo Alaves Prediction & Betting tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Valencia to Win	2.07

Looking at the current form and historical data, Valencia’s home advantage and Alavés’ defensive issues make for a compelling case. Therefore, our recommended betting tip is to back Valencia to win.

• Valencia have secured their wins at home, demonstrating their ability to leverage home advantage effectively.
• Alavés have not managed a single win in their last five matches and have shown significant defensive frailties, conceding 10 goals.
• Historically, Valencia have a strong record against Alavés at Mestalla, having lost only once in their last six encounters.

Betting Odds

Valencia are stepping onto the Mestalla pitch as the favourites, with betting odds reflecting their stronger home advantage. Deportivo Alavés, however, are not to be underestimated, especially given their knack for surprising results on the road.

Betting Tip	Odds
Valencia to win	2.07
Draw	3.09
Deportivo Alavés to win	3.96

For those looking to place a wager, the draw offers a tempting return, and considering both teams’ recent form, the over 2.5 goals market might be worth a flutter.

Valencia Analysis & Past Performance

Valencia’s recent form has been inconsistent, evidenced by a mixed bag of results in their last five outings. They have managed two wins and suffered three losses, highlighting a need for greater consistency. Notably, their recent 1-0 victory against Osasuna at home showcased their ability to grind out results when necessary, although they have struggled against stronger sides, as seen in their 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Valencia	Osasuna	1 – 0 (Win)	LaLiga	1 Mar 2026
Villarreal	Valencia	2 – 1 (Loss)	LaLiga	22 Feb 2026
Levante	Valencia	0 – 2 (Win)	LaLiga	15 Feb 2026
Valencia	Real Madrid	0 – 2 (Loss)	LaLiga	8 Feb 2026
Valencia	Athletic Club	1 – 2 (Loss)	Copa del Rey	4 Feb 2026

Recent Form:
The team has averaged 1.00 goals per game while conceding 1.20 goals in their last five matches, illustrating a slight defensive vulnerability. Despite this, Valencia has managed to secure two clean sheets in this run, demonstrating moments of defensive solidity. Their home form has been slightly more reliable, with two wins from five matches, maintaining a win ratio of 40%.

Valencia currently sit 15th in LaLiga, with 29 points, reflecting their mid-bottom table position. Their attacking efforts are spearheaded by Hugo Duro, who has netted seven goals this season. However, the team needs to improve their goal-scoring efficiency, as they have only scored in four out of their last five games. Ensuring a more consistent attacking output could be key to climbing the league standings.

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Valencia Suspensions & Injuries

Valencia face a few challenges with player unavailability as they prepare for their clash against Deportivo Alavés. The absence of Mouctar Diakhaby due to a hamstring injury poses a significant concern in defence, potentially impacting their stability at the back. With Dimitri Foulquier also sidelined for the season, Valencia will likely rely on Eray Cömert to fill the void, maintaining a solid defensive line alongside Unai Núñez.

In the midfield, the knee injury to Lucas Beltrán, who is expected to return by mid-March, slightly limits the squad’s depth. However, Guido Rodríguez and Largie Ramazani are expected to step up, ensuring that Valencia retains its midfield dynamism.

With Julen Agirrezabala out for the season, the goalkeeping duties fall squarely on Stole Dimitrievski, who will need to be at his best to keep Alavés at bay. These injuries could influence the betting markets, as Valencia’s defensive vulnerabilities might be seen as an opportunity for Alavés.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Julen Agirrezabala	Hamstring Injury	Out for season
Mouctar Diakhaby	Hamstring Injury	Unknown
Ruben Iranzo	Knee injury	Mid March 2026
Dimitri Foulquier	Knee injury	Out for season
Lucas Beltrán	Knee injury	Mid March 2026
José Manuel Arias Copete	Meniscus injury	Late May 2026

Valencia Key Players

Hugo Duro stands out as Valencia’s top scorer with 7 goals, showcasing his clinical finishing ability. His role as a forward is critical, as he possesses the knack for finding space in the opposition’s penalty area, making him a constant threat. Duro’s interplay with fellow forward Umar Sadiq could be pivotal in breaking down Deportivo Alavés’ defence.

In the midfield, Guido Rodríguez and Luis Rioja provide a blend of defensive solidity and creative flair. Rodríguez’s ability to break up play and distribute the ball effectively will be vital in controlling the midfield battle. Meanwhile, Rioja’s pace and dribbling skills add an attacking dimension, potentially creating opportunities for the forwards.

Expected lineup for Valencia

• Goalkeeper: Stole Dimitrievski
• Defence: Thierry Correia, Unai Núñez, Eray Cömert, José Gayà
• Midfield: Guido Rodríguez, Largie Ramazani, Filip Ugrinic, Luis Rioja
• Forward: Javier Guerra, Umar Sadiq

Defensively, José Gayà and Unai Núñez anchor the backline, with Gayà’s overlapping runs offering additional width in attack. Núñez’s aerial prowess and composure under pressure are essential for Valencia’s defensive stability. These key players form the backbone of Valencia’s tactical setup, aiming to exploit their strengths to secure a positive result.

Valencia Tactics and Formation

Valencia Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Javier Guerra
• Midfield Anchors: Guido Rodríguez and Filip Ugrinic
• Defensive Record: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Solid defensive structure with quick counterattacks.

Valencia’s 4-4-2 formation under Carlos Corberán focuses on defensive solidity and swift transitions. The midfield, featuring Guido Rodríguez and Filip Ugrinic, plays a crucial role in both shielding the defence and initiating attacks. Their ability to disrupt opposition play and quickly distribute the ball to forwards is vital for Valencia’s counterattacking strategy.

Defensively, the backline of Thierry Correia, Unai Núñez, Eray Cömert, and José Gayà has been effective in maintaining structure and discipline, contributing to two clean sheets in the last five matches. Stole Dimitrievski in goal adds experience and reliability, further strengthening their defensive resolve.

Offensively, the partnership of Javier Guerra and Umar Sadiq up front provides a blend of pace and physicality, making them a threat on counters. The wingers, Largie Ramazani and Luis Rioja, offer width and speed, crucial for stretching defences and creating scoring opportunities.

Deportivo Alaves Analysis & Past Performance

Deportivo Alavés are currently navigating a challenging period, as evidenced by their recent form in LaLiga. In their last five games, they have notched up two draws against Girona (2-2) and Sevilla (1-1), but suffered three losses, including a 0-2 defeat to Levante. This sequence highlights their struggle to secure victories, with no wins recorded in this stretch.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Levante	Deportivo Alavés	2 – 0 (Loss)	LaLiga	27 Feb, 2026
Deportivo Alavés	Girona	2 – 2 (Draw)	LaLiga	23 Feb, 2026
Sevilla	Deportivo Alavés	1 – 1 (Draw)	LaLiga	14 Feb, 2026
Deportivo Alavés	Getafe	0 – 2 (Loss)	LaLiga	8 Feb, 2026
Deportivo Alavés	Real Sociedad	2 – 3 (Loss)	Copa del Rey	4 Feb, 2026

Recent Form:
Alavés’ attacking output has been modest, averaging 1.00 goal per game over their last five matches. Defensively, they have conceded 2.00 goals per game on average, and have failed to keep a clean sheet, illustrating their vulnerability at the back. Away from home, they have managed just 1 win in their last 5 outings, translating to a win ratio of 20%.

The team is positioned 16th in the league standings with 27 points, reflecting their inconsistent performance throughout the season. Lucas Boyé remains a key figure in attack with 7 goals, but the lack of support has been apparent. Their inability to maintain leads and defensive frailties, especially in away fixtures, pose significant challenges as they prepare to face Valencia.

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Deportivo Alaves Suspensions & Injuries

Deportivo Alavés are facing some challenges due to player suspensions that could impact their tactical setup. Pablo Ibáñez and Víctor Parada are both serving one-match bans due to card accumulations, which necessitates adjustments in the midfield and defence. Their absence could see changes in the team’s defensive resilience and midfield dynamism, potentially affecting their ability to control the game against Valencia.

Player	Reason for Suspension	Matches Left	Estimated Return
Pablo Ibáñez	Accumulated Yellow Cards	1	TBD
Víctor Parada	Yellow/Red Card Offence	1	TBD

On the injury front, Ville Koski remains sidelined with a meniscus injury, expected to return in late March 2026. His unavailability might not drastically alter the starting lineup, but it does limit the depth and options for coach Eduardo Coudet, especially in maintaining a consistent defensive shape throughout the match.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Ville Koski	Meniscus injury	Late March 2026

The absence of these players could influence Deportivo Alavés’s strategy, possibly forcing them to adopt a more conservative approach. With key players missing, the betting markets might slightly favour Valencia, considering Alavés’s compromised squad depth and tactical flexibility.

Deportivo Alaves Key Players

Lucas Boyé is the lynchpin of Deportivo Alavés’ attack, having scored 7 goals this season. His role as a forward is pivotal, often leading the charge with his sharp finishing and intelligent positioning. Boyé’s ability to exploit defensive gaps could be crucial against Valencia’s backline.

The midfield is anchored by Ander Guevara and Carles Aleñá, whose playmaking skills are vital for creating scoring opportunities. Guevara’s defensive prowess complements Aleñá’s creative vision, making them a formidable duo in controlling the game’s tempo. In defence, Jonny Otto and Nahuel Tenaglia offer solid resistance, with Otto’s defensive acumen and Tenaglia’s versatility being key strengths.

Expected lineup for Deportivo Alavés

• Goalkeeper: Antonio Sivera
• Defenders: Jonny Otto, Nahuel Tenaglia, Facundo Garcés, Jon Pacheco
• Midfielders: Ángel Pérez, Ander Guevara, Antonio Blanco, Carles Aleñá
• Forwards: Lucas Boyé, Antonio Martínez

Deportivo Alaves Tactics and Formation

Deportivo Alavés Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Lucas Boyé
• Midfield Engine: Ander Guevara and Antonio Blanco
• Defensive Record: No clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Utilises wide areas effectively with overlapping full-backs.

Deportivo Alavés will likely continue with their 4-4-2 formation, which provides a balanced approach to both defence and attack. The midfield pairing of Ander Guevara and Antonio Blanco is vital in maintaining possession and breaking up opposition play. Their ability to distribute the ball effectively helps transition from defence to offence.

Defensively, Jonny Otto and Nahuel Tenaglia are expected to provide width and support in both attacking and defensive phases. However, the absence of Víctor Parada from the last lineup may present challenges in maintaining defensive cohesion, having already struggled to keep clean sheets in recent games.

Offensively, Alavés rely heavily on their wide play and the striking partnership of Lucas Boyé and Antonio Martínez. Boyé, the top scorer, is key in converting chances. The team often looks to exploit the flanks with overlaps and crosses, aiming to penetrate defences that are set deep.

Valencia vs Deportivo Alaves H2H Record

Valencia and Deportivo Alavés have faced off 30 times, with Valencia winning 13, Alavés 8, and 8 ending in draws. Their last LaLiga meeting was a goalless draw at Alavés in October 2025, showing how tight these encounters can be.

The last time Valencia hosted Alavés at the Mestalla in LaLiga was in December 2024, where it ended in a 2-2 draw. Valencia’s home advantage hasn’t been as strong lately, with Alavés managing to snatch a win in their previous visit in May 2024.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Deportivo Alavés	Valencia	0 – 0	LaLiga	2025-10-20
Deportivo Alavés	Valencia	1 – 0	LaLiga	2025-05-14
Valencia	Deportivo Alavés	2 – 2	LaLiga	2024-12-22
Valencia	Deportivo Alavés	0 – 1	Friendly	2024-07-24
Valencia	Deportivo Alavés	0 – 1	LaLiga	2024-05-05