The 22nd-round La Liga match between Espanyol and Alavés will take place on 30 January at the Cornellà-El Prat stadium in Barcelona. Espanyol vs Alavés: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Espanyol
Espanyol are still experiencing a downturn in January. After a run of five wins at the end of last year, the home side have failed to win in four consecutive La Liga matches. Moreover, three of those four games ended in defeat. Last week the visitors lost an entertaining away game against Valencia (2:3). During that trip the side showed character and twice equalised, but ultimately that was not enough even for a draw because of a penalty conceded in the 94th minute. Fortunately for the club, rivals also slipped up, so Espanyol retained fifth place in the table. The gap to Betis and Celta is two points.
- At least one team failed to score in 5 of the last 6 La Liga matches played at the home side’s ground.
- The club’s uncompromising home run in this competition lasts 7 matches (3 wins, 4 defeats).
- The home side have failed to keep a clean sheet in 5 consecutive La Liga matches.
Potential Espanyol Lineup (4-4-2)*
Marko Dmitrović – Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero, Rubén Sánchez – Urko González, Pau Lozano, Jofre Carreras, Ramon Terrats – Pere Milla, Roberto Fernández.
Defender Omar El-Hilali has served his suspension. Captain Javi Puado is unavailable due to injury.
Alavés
Alavés picked up a very important win over a solid Betis side in the last La Liga round (2:1). Thanks to that result the visiting team ended a five-match winless run in the league (1 draw, 4 defeats). Crucially, the club quickly left the relegation zone, moving up to 15th place in the table. Nevertheless, the situation in the standings remains extremely tense, as the gap to 18th place is just one point. On the other hand, with another victory Alavés have a chance to move closer to the teams in the top ten.
- In the current La Liga season the visitors have collected only 4 points away from home – the worst record alongside Elche.
- The club won with a +1.5 handicap in 5 of the previous 7 matches in this competition.
- Alavés have failed to score more than one goal in 14 consecutive La Liga away matches.
Potential Alavés Lineup (4-4-2)*
Antonio Sivera – Jon Pacheco, Nahuel Tenaglia, Jony, Carlos Benavídez – Antonio Blanco, Carles Aleñá, Pablo Ibáñez, Carlos Vicente – Tony Martínez, Lucas Boyé.
Top scorer Carlos Vicente has moved to Birmingham, and forward Ángel Pérez has been signed as his replacement from Huesca. Defender Facundo Garcés has returned to training after a four-month suspension. Midfielder Denis Suárez’s participation in the match is doubtful.
Espanyol vs Alavés: Match Prediction
Espanyol have so far been unable to overcome the slump that began after the winter break. In the first four La Liga rounds of 2026 the side have not won and collected only 1 point from a possible 12. Importantly, at such a nerve‑racking moment the home side will face a fairly convenient opponent. Although the visitors beat Espanyol away in the autumn, in the last six head-to-head meetings at their own ground in La Liga Espanyol have five wins and only one draw. We would add that five goals were scored in the most recent meeting, and at least two goals were registered in three of the four previous matches in Barcelona.
Alavés have ended their winless streak in the league, but it is notable that for several months the club have been winning exclusively at home in this competition. The visitors have not taken three points away in eight La Liga matches, and the last seven away matches ended in defeat. Even when considering all fixtures, the club have lost 7 of the last 10 La Liga matches (2 wins, 1 draw). At the same time, Alavés rarely make matches boring: in 5 of the last 6 league meetings there were at least 2 goals, and 4 of those 6 matches were overs.
Prediction: Espanyol To Win Or Draw And Over 1.5 Goals
* The starting lineup for each team is shown as in their last match in this competition.
