The visitors have now conceded at least twice in three straight away league games, and they will likely be desperate to avoid making that four in the top flight for the first time since a five-game sequence ending in November 2019. Curiously, that included a 4-1 defeat here against Villarreal!
Villarreal
After the original fixture was postponed in September, Villarreal will finally welcome Deportivo Alaves for their final clash of 2021. At the time of postponement, Villarreal were without a win in the season, so the change of date may actually work in the hosts’ favour, given that they have found the net 23 times across their last six games. While the ‘Yellow Submarine’ have been plagued by inconsistency across their last five home league games, it would be a big surprise if they were sunk here against relegation-threatened opposition. Encouragingly, 73 per cent of Villarreal’s points this season have been won as pre-match favourites, as they are once again here.
Alaves
Alaves are currently on a five-game winless run in La Liga – one which sees them in a precarious position. They can put some ground between themselves and the drop zone with victory here, but they would have to improve on a woeful return of just two wins across their last 22 top-flight trips. The visitors have now conceded at least twice in three straight away league games, and they will likely be desperate to avoid making that four in the top flight for the first time since a five-game sequence ending in November 2019. Curiously, that included a 4-1 defeat here against Villarreal!
Gerard Moreno scored twice and assisted in Villarreal’s victory last time out, which is the first time he’s contributed to 3 goals in a game since scoring a hat-trick in April. Meanwhile, no player this campaign has contributed a higher portion of his side’s league goals than Joselu – his eight goals account for 62 per cent of Alaves’ total. Neither club has lost a game when taking a lead this La Liga season.