Matchday 18 of La Liga between Valencia and Alaves will take place on December 22 at the Mestalla Stadium. Valencia vs. Alaves: prediction, betting odds, and statistics.
Referee: Javier Alberola Rojas (Spain)
Matches – 8 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 21;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.6;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 13%.
Predicted lineups for Valencia vs. Alaves
Valencia (4-2-3-1): Stole Dimitrievski – Luis Rioja, Cesar Tárrega, Dimitri Foulquier, Cristhian Mosquera – Enzo Barrenechea, Pepelu – Andre Almeida, Fran Pérez, Diego López – Dani Gómez.
Alaves (4-4-2): Antonio Sivera – Nahuel Tenaglia, Santiago Mourino, Moussa Diarra, Abdel Abqar – Antonio Blanco, Joan Jordán, Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi – Carlos Martin, Kike García.
Each team is listed with their starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament.
Valencia
The club has not tasted victory in their last four La Liga matches. In their most recent encounter, Valencia drew with Espanyol away (1-1), following three consecutive one-goal losses. Notably, Valencia has only one win in their last 10 league games (4 draws and 5 losses). Ruben Baraja's side is at the bottom of the table, trailing the safe 17th spot by 6 points.
- Valencia has not scored more than one goal in 9 of their last 10 La Liga matches.
- The team hasn't won the first half in 12 consecutive home games in La Liga (9 draws and 3 losses).
- At least two goals have been scored in 6 of Valencia's last 8 home league matches.
Alaves
The Basque side is also struggling, with just one win in their last 11 La Liga matches (3 draws and 7 losses). This poor run has seen the club drop to 17th place, just two points above the relegation zone. In their last three league matches, Eduardo Coudet's team has drawn all games, sharing points at home with Leganes and Athletic (both 1-1) and away with Osasuna (2-2).
Defender Nahuel Tenaglia will miss the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
- Two or more goals have been scored in 13 of Alaves' last 15 La Liga matches.
- The Basques have lost the second half in their last five away league games.
- In 6 of their last 7 away games in La Liga, the club has conceded at least two goals.
Valencia vs. Alaves: Match Prediction
In a clash between two struggling sides, the home advantage could prove decisive. Valencia's two wins in La Liga 2024/25 have both come at home, against teams representing Spain in European competitions: Girona (2-0) and Betis (4-2). I believe the team will gather themselves and secure the crucial three points in this game, especially since they have won seven of their last ten home encounters against Alaves in La Liga (2 draws and 1 loss).
Although Alaves managed a draw with Osasuna in their last away match, they had lost their previous six away games in La Liga. The team concedes heavily on the road, with 19 goals allowed. Only Valladolid has conceded more away goals this season (22). Even Valencia, who has not been impressive in attack this season, should be able to break down such a defense. My prediction: Valencia to win
