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Football | Tuesday, January 28, 2025 1:23 PM (Revised at: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 1:24 PM)

Barcelona vs Alaves Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Barcelona vs Alaves Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview
ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barelona in action

The La Liga title race is heating up and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Barcelona vs Alaves Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

Barcelona blew Valencia away 7-1 last weekend, landing Nathan his sole winning tip, and our expert returns with another eye-catching selection as the title contenders host Alaves.

The visitors are once again fighting for survival, but have picked up in recent weeks, only losing one of their last five matches. Can they spring a surprise as they did in 2021? Or will Barcelona’s goalscoring prowess prove too strong?

Barcelona vs Alaves Prediction: Goals galore once more

Spain, La Liga, Sunday, January 26th, 17:30 (UK)

After just 24 minutes against Valencia Barcelona were already 4-0 up. And by the final whistle, the hosts finished 7-1 winners, notably their biggest victory over Valencia since Gary Neville’s infamous 7-0 defeat in 2016.

Still, Barcelona could only celebrate momentarily. Sitting in third place, Hansi Flick’s team are seven points behind Real Madrid and if they are to catch them, their result against Valencia cannot be a one off.

Up next: Alaves. A side that has definitely improved in recent weeks as they battle for survival once more, securing a 3-1 win on the road against Betis, as well as three consecutive draws vs Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao and Valencia. Goals haven’t been such an issue as they were at the beginning of the campaign.

And although they head into this match with more points than Barcelona over their last five matches, it’s going to be an uphill battle. That’s because the title contenders have won four of the last five head-to-heads, including 3-0 earlier in the campaign.

Once again, Barcelona were quick out of the blocks, as their Polish international Robert Lewandowski scored a hattrick inside 32 minutes. VAR ruled out a goal for the hosts on the stroke of half-time, and that’s how the game finished.

But Flick’s team are flying at present. Prior to their midweek clash with Atalanta, Barcelona have scored 23 goals in their last five matches – and they’ve had some tough games within those, including Real Madrid in the Super Cup final and Benfica in the Champions League.

Barcelona heavily rely on Raphinha and Lewandowski to score, and although they were both on the scoresheet against Valencia, they were joined by three other players. When they are in the mood, they are impossible to stop.

What needs to be addressed, however, is the fact Barcelona have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 home games. Las Palmas, Leganes and Espanyol have all found the back of the net and away from the Nou Camp, there’s a lack of intimidation for opposing teams. This gives a free-scoring Alaves side hope they too, can pitch in with a goal or two.

At the end of the day, it’s a case of if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Therefore, I’m once again backing over 3.5 goals and another performance where Barcelona can find their stride and dominate throughout.

  • Barcelona vs Alaves Prediction: Over 3.5 Goals
  • Best Odds: 2.0
  • Bookmaker: bet365
  • Stake: 6/10

Barcelona vs Alaves Prediction odds via bet365 as at 10:00, January 22nd, 2025. Odds may now differ.


Barcelona vs Alaves Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups

At the time of writing, Barcelona head into this La Liga clash with no fresh injury concerns. Whether or not Flick looks to rotate his side due to their hectic schedule is yet to be determined. If he does, we may well see forward Pau Victor introduced from the bench – especially if they are comfortably ahead. Robert Lewandowski started on the bench against Valencia, but having returned to the scoresheet, the Polish international should be in line to start once again.

Alaves head to Barcelona with a few casualties, but this didn’t impact them last weekend when they put three past Betis and picked up the three points.

Goalkeeper Antonio Sivera sits out once again with a hand injury, while both Carlos Martin and Joan Jordan are sidelined with muscle injuries.

Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Balde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde, Pedri, Casado, Raphinha, Gavi, Yamal, Lewandowski

Alaves possible starting lineup:
Owono; Sanchez, Diarra, Abqar, Tenaglia, Guevara, Blanco, Conechny, Guridi, Vicente, Garcia


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