Barcelona vs. Deportivo Alaves Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 2 February 2025 - bettingexpert
As the LaLiga title race heats up, Barcelona will host Deportivo Alaves at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys on 2 February 2025. Barcelona, sitting 3rd with 42 points, aims to close the gap with league leaders Real Madrid, while Alaves, positioned 17th, are fighting to steer clear of relegation.
Barcelona is the bookmakers’ favorite, especially with recent performances like their dominant 7-1 victory over Valencia. Led by the in-form Robert Lewandowski, who has 17 goals this season, they average four goals per game in their last five matches. Another key asset, Pedri, recently renewed his contract, further boosting their morale.
On the flip side, Alaves will face challenges, especially with injuries to key players like Antonio Sivera and Joan Jordán. Their last five outings show resilience with only one loss, but they have struggled in away games.
Considering the current form and statistics, betting on Barcelona with an Asian Handicap of -2 seems prudent. They have been particularly effective in matches against lower-tier teams and are likely to triumph comfortably on Sunday. The match will be officiated by Jose Munuera, who has shown to keep the game clean with no red cards in his past ten matches.
Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves Prediction & Betting Tip
| Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Barcelona -2.00 (Asian Handicap) | 2.1 |
- Barcelona’s offense has been exceptional, averaging four goals per game in their last five LaLiga matches.
- Deportivo Alaves have shown vulnerability in defense, conceding on average 1.5 goals per game this season.
- The Catalan giants have a history of winning by large margins against lower-tier teams.
Barcelona’s recent form suggests they can comfortably cover the -2.00 handicap against Alaves. With stars like Lewandowski and Pedri in sublime form, this bet seems highly favorable.
Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves Odds
| Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Barcelona | 1.19 |
| Draw | 7.27 |
| Deportivo Alaves | 13.24 |
Barcelona is the clear favourite, with odds heavily in their favour. The Catalan side’s recent form and dominant home performances make them a strong bet.
A draw has much higher odds, reflecting its lower likelihood given the disparity in team strengths. Alaves, struggling near the relegation zone, has long odds for an upset win. Betting on more than 2.5 goals could also be favourable due to Barcelona’s attacking prowess.
Barcelona Team Analysis
Barcelona Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | Atalanta | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Barcelona | Valencia | 7-1 (Win) |
| Benfica | Barcelona | 4-5 (Win) |
| Getafe | Barcelona | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Barcelona | Real Betis | 5-1 (Win) |
Barcelona has been in fine form with a recent run of DWWDW. The team has been relentless in attack, averaging 4 goals per game over their last 5 matches. However, their defense isn’t unbreachable, as evidenced by a lack of clean sheets in these fixtures. This scoring prowess is primarily led by Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 17 goals this season.
Despite some defensive frailties, the team has shown resilience, coming from behind to secure important points. Their recent home performance against Valencia was particularly impressive, showcasing their offensive depth and ability to dominate games. These positive results keep Barcelona well within the title race.
Barcelona Key Players
Barcelona boasts incredible talent, making them formidable opponents for Alaves. Leading the line is Robert Lewandowski, who has already scored 17 goals this season and will be a significant threat in the attack. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial.
In midfield, the recently re-signed Pedri, with his exceptional ball control and vision, will look to dictate play. Frenkie de Jong and Gavi also add depth and dynamism to the midfield.
At the back, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo will anchor the defense, while Wojciech Szczęsny will be looking to redeem himself in goal despite recent media scrutiny.
Expected lineup for Barcelona:
- Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny
- Defenders: Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsí, Álex Balde
- Midfielders: Pedri, Marc Casado, Gavi
- Attackers: Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha
Expect numerous individual battles, such as Lewandowski against Moussa Diarra, to be key in determining the match’s outcome.
Barcelona Suspensions & Injuries
Barcelona has several key players sidelined due to injuries, which could impact their squad depth and performance against Deportivo Alaves.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Marc Bernal | Cruciate ligament injury | Early May 2025 |
| Marc-Andre ter Stegen | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for the season |
| Íñigo Martinez | Thigh injury | Mid February 2025 |
| Dani Olmo | Foot injury | Mid February 2025 |
| Andreas Christensen | Foot injury | Mid February 2025 |
These injuries mean Barcelona will be without their first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, for the entire season. The absences of key defenders like Íñigo Martinez and Andreas Christensen, as well as midfielder Dani Olmo, will test the squad’s resilience.
Fortunately, there are no suspensions to report for Barcelona.
However, these absences could lead to younger or less experienced players stepping up, which may affect the team’s cohesion and performance, particularly in defense and midfield.
Barcelona Tactics and Formation
Barcelona Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Robert Lewandowski (17 goals this season)
- Midfield Trio: Pedri, Marc Casado, Gavi
- Defensive Strength: Despite no clean sheets in the last five games, the team relies on high pressing and solid defensive work from Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí.
- Notable Strategy: Barcelona tends to dominate ball possession, utilizing quick, intricate passing to break down defenses. Their offensive power is highlighted by an average of 4 goals in the last five La Liga games, often focusing attacks through the wings with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
Hansi Flick’s approach involves fluid movement and flexibility, with a strong emphasis on offensive prowess and constant pressure on the opponent’s backline.
Deportivo Alaves Team Analysis
Deportivo Alaves Recent Performance
Deportivo Alaves have had a mixed bag of results in their last five matches, as evidenced by their record of one win, three draws, and one loss. Despite their struggles, they are managing to find the net consistently, averaging 1.4 goals per game. However, their defense has also been leaky, with no clean sheets in these matches. This recent form has kept them teetering just above the relegation zone.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Deportivo Alaves | Celta Vigo | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Real Betis | Deportivo Alaves | 1-3 (Win) |
| Deportivo Alaves | Girona | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Valencia | Deportivo Alaves | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Deportivo Alaves | Athletic Club | 1-1 (Draw) |
The visiting side will need to shore up their defense and aim for a more disciplined performance to improve their chances against a potent Barcelona attack.
Deportivo Alaves Key Players
Deportivo Alaves arrive at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys with several key players who will be essential in their fight against a high-flying Barcelona side.
Expected lineup for Deportivo Alaves:
- Goalkeeper: Jesús Owono
- Defenders: Nahuel Tenaglia, Santiago Mouriño, Moussa Diarra, Manu Sanchez
- Midfielders: Ander Guevara, Antonio Blanco, Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi, Tomás Conechny
- Forward: Kike Garcia
Top scorer Kike Garcia, with 9 goals this season, will be the main threat in attack. He’ll be up against Barcelona’s robust defense led by Ronald Araujo. In midfield, Ander Guevara’s work rate is pivotal, and he’ll face the challenge of containing Barca’s dynamic trio of Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong. Defensively, Moussa Diarra will have his hands full trying to neutralize the prolific Robert Lewandowski. Key battles across the pitch will be crucial for any hopes Alaves have of securing a positive result.
Deportivo Alaves Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Antonio Sivera | Broken hand | Mid February 2025 |
| Joan Jordán | Muscle injury | Mid February 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
| —————— | —————- | —————– |
| Abdel Abqar | Yellow cards | 1 match left |
Deportivo Alaves have some significant absences that could impact their performance against Barcelona. Antonio Sivera and Joan Jordán are pivotal players, and their injuries leave a gap in defense and midfield, respectively.
Furthermore, the suspension of Abdel Abqar due to yellow cards adds to their defensive woes, weakening their backline even further for this match against a formidable Barcelona side.
Deportivo Alaves Tactics and Formation
Deportivo Alaves Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Kike Garcia
- Midfield Duo: Ander Guevara, Antonio Blanco
- Defensive Line: Nahuel Tenaglia, Santiago Mouriño, Moussa Diarra, Manu Sanchez
- Attacking Midfield: Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi, Tomás Conechny
Alaves are likely to adopt a balanced 4-2-3-1 formation focused on maintaining defensive solidity while providing support to their lone striker, Kike Garcia.
Expect Ander Guevara and Antonio Blanco to anchor the midfield, breaking up play and distributing the ball to the creative trio ahead of them.
The defense will be tasked with staying compact, with a focus on preventing Barcelona’s clinical forwards from finding space.
Strategically, Alaves might look to hit Barcelona on the counter-attack, utilizing the pace and creativity of their attacking midfielders.
Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Deportivo Alaves | Barcelona | 0 – 3 |
| Deportivo Alaves | Barcelona | 1 – 3 |
| Barcelona | Deportivo Alaves | 2 – 1 |
| Deportivo Alaves | Barcelona | 0 – 1 |
| Barcelona | Deportivo Alaves | 1 – 1 |
In the past five encounters, Barcelona have dominated with four wins and one draw against Deportivo Alaves. The Catalan giants have shown a consistent edge over Alaves, particularly in scoring multiple goals.
These matches indicate that Barcelona have the upper hand historically, making them the favourites for the upcoming clash.
Expect a high-calibre performance from Barcelona given their past success.
Odds accurate as of 31st January 2025, 13:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
