Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
Barcelona continue to impress with their attacking firepower this season, consistently delivering high-scoring matches under Hansi Flick. Their upcoming clash against Alavés should be no exception, especially with the Catalan giants needing to close the gap in the La Liga title race.
Barcelona
In eight January fixtures, Barcelona failed to score at least twice only once, accumulating a staggering 31 goal contributions. Last Sunday, they dismantled Valencia (7:1), taking a five-goal lead by halftime while generating 4.38 xG over the full 90 minutes. However, defensive errors continue to plague the team—their 26.86 xGA is only the sixth-best defensive record in La Liga, highlighting vulnerabilities at the back.
Alavés
Alavés have shown steady improvement, but their defensive struggles persist. A draw with Celta Vigo (1:1) marked their 10th consecutive match conceding at least one goal. Sitting just one point above the relegation zone, Alavés have recorded 12 matches with over 2.5 goals in La Liga—the sixth-highest tally, tied with Las Palmas and Girona.
Barcelona vs Alavés Prediction
Since Alavés returned to La Liga, all three meetings with Barcelona have produced at least three goals. The visitors will be forced to defend deep, but they will also have opportunities on the counterattack. Expect another high-scoring game at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
