Match bet
The Basque side ended last season inconsistently: two wins, a draw and two defeats in their final five rounds. Quique Sánchez Flores' team beat Barcelona (1:0) but lost to the relegated Oviedo (0:1). Their pre-season was fairly lively: draws with Eibar (1:1) and Racing Santander (1:1), as well as two wins over Girona (1:0) and Castellón (3:0).
The Basque side's squad was refreshed in the summer: the departures of Vitor Parada and Jon Guridi opened the way for newcomers Ville Koski and Mikel Rodríguez. Lucas Boyé and Toni Martínez remain the key figures in attack (25 goals between them last season), while Denis Suárez pulls the strings in midfield. Their main issue is finishing: in February, Alaves had 13 shots (five on target) against Getafe but still failed to beat David Soria.
Bordalás' team ended the previous league campaign with a 1:0 win over Osasuna. Their pre-season friendlies were difficult: 1:1 against Tottenham and 0:0 against Valladolid, two defeats — to Monaco (0:1) and Atlético Madrid (1:4) — as well as modest wins over Reading (1:0) and Tenerife (2:1). Getafe have recorded two wins, a draw and two defeats, with a 4:4 goal difference, in their last five competitive rounds.
In the summer, the Madrid side strengthened their defensive spine with centre-back Zaid Romero and midfielder Mario Martín. Notable transfers included Orel Mangala's loan move from Lyon and the free-agent arrival of Saba Sazonov, who spent more time receiving treatment than playing for Torino. Meanwhile, Mauro Arambarri, the key figure in February's victory, has moved to River Plate, so the attacking burden shifts to Martín Satriano, Luis Vázquez and Borja Mayoral.
Getafe have the edge in head-to-head meetings: they have five wins, eight draws and only one defeat in the previous 14 matches. However, the Mendizorrotza factor cannot be discounted (27 of their 42 points were earned at home), while Getafe have not been particularly convincing away from home (24 points from 51). There will not be many goals in this match, and home support will help Alaves take at least a point.
