The long-awaited 3:1 win for Villarreal at the weekend against Elche has lifted the mood in Marcelino García Toral's squad. With home support, the hosts should beat an inconsistent Alavés – a club of their stature are expected to cope with such opponents.
Villarreal
Over their last 15 matches, the team have suffered six defeats, four of them in the UEFA Champions League. Being eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Racing Santander from the Segunda División (1:2) was a painful setback for Marcelino García Toral's players, but their prospects in La Liga are not under threat. Away to Elche, the side produced 2.63 xG; across the 17 matches of the first half of the season they have accumulated 33.69 expected goals, the fourth-best figure in the competition.
Alavés
Alavés's results are based on reactive, counter-attacking football, but even this approach does not bring consistent success. After a 1:1 draw with Real Oviedo, bottom of La Liga, the team have only a three-point cushion over the relegation zone. Away from home, Eduardo Coudet's side have suffered five La Liga defeats in a row – the most recent losses to Barcelona (1:3) and Osasuna (0:3) were particularly painful.
Villarreal vs Alavés Prediction
Last season at home, Villarreal left Alavés no chance, winning 3:0. We expect the hosts on Saturday to extend their lead over Atlético Madrid in the race for third place in La Liga; they have enough quality to close right up to Real Madrid.
