Alavés and Girona go head to head in a high-pressure La Liga clash with both sides still looking over their shoulders near the relegation zone. With the margins tight, three points here could prove decisive as the season approaches a critical stage.
Match News and Current Form
Alavés have not been at their best in recent weeks, but two wins from their last nine league games (D2, L5) have been enough to keep them above the bottom three. Their recent form has dipped again after failing to win in their last two outings (D1, L1), leaving them with only a two point cushion heading into this round. Despite the pressure, their home record offers encouragement. Eighteen of their 26 points this season have come on their own ground, a statistic that highlights how important home advantage has been to their survival push.
However, back to back home defeats in league and cup competitions have dented confidence at the wrong time. Historical trends also point to concern. Alavés have won only one of their last ten Monday fixtures in La Liga (D3, L6), suggesting they may struggle to finish the round strongly. Analysts often point to consistency at home as the foundation for survival, and Alavés must rediscover that resilience quickly if they are to maintain their top-flight status.
Girona arrive in a relatively safer position. They sit 12th in the standings and five points clear of danger. A run of four wins from their last seven matches (D2, L1) has been central to improving their situation. Still, the team remains aware that their points total after 24 games is lower than in each of their previous three seasons in the competition. This gap underlines the need to maintain momentum during the run-in.
Their away form offers genuine optimism. Three victories in their last five away matches (D1, L1) suggest they are capable of collecting crucial results on the road. Girona have also performed well in Monday fixtures, losing only one of their last seven (W4, D2, L1). That record has strengthened belief within the squad that they can take another step towards safety.
Head-to-Head History
Recent meetings favour Girona. Alavés have managed only one win in the last five league encounters between the sides (D1, L3). Girona recorded 1-0 victories in both this season’s reverse fixture and the corresponding clash last term. Matches between these teams have also been lively early on, with each of the last four meetings producing at least one first-half goal.
Another key trend is Girona’s strong starts. They have led a joint league high six away matches at half-time this season, although three of those games still ended level and three were lost. This pattern highlights both their ability to begin matches aggressively and their occasional difficulty in maintaining control.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Midfielder Jon Guridi could play an important role for Alavés. He has scored more than one career goal against only two teams, and Girona are one of them. Both of those strikes came in this fixture during the 2023/24 campaign, a reminder of his ability to influence this specific matchup.
For Girona, Viktor Tsygankov remains a key attacking threat. He scored the winning goal in the reverse fixture earlier this season, and four of his five league goals have come away from home. His effectiveness on the road could once again prove decisive.
Alavés have been without Carlos Protesoni in their last three matches, which has affected balance in midfield. Girona continue to deal with important absences. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen remains sidelined, while Azzedine Ounahi has not featured since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. These setbacks could influence team selection and overall structure.
Betting Analysis
Both sides have shown a tendency to start matches strongly this season, which could lead to a tactical and cautious opening period. With the stakes high and neither team wanting to make costly mistakes, a half-time draw looks a realistic outcome.
