Barcelona most probably will easily steal three points here. It should be an easy match for the hosts and with their attacking front they are a very tough side to face this season.
Match info: La Liga
Venue: Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys, Catalonia
Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2025
Time: 2pm Nigerian time
Barcelona's pursuit of La Liga leaders Real Madrid will continue on Sunday afternoon when they welcome struggling Alaves to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for a must-win contest.
Hansi Flick's side are currently third in the La Liga table, seven points behind the reigning champions Real Madrid, while Alaves occupy 17th, only one point above the relegation zone at a vital stage of the campaign.
Head-to-head:
- Barcelona have won 18 of the last 22 meetings between the two teams
- Alaves recorded just 1 victory.
- The remaining 3 clashes ended in draws.
- Barcelona have not fallen prey to Alaves in any of their last 14 meetings in La Liga till now.
- They are coming off a 7-1 home win over Valencia in their last league encounter.
- Alaves have won just two of their 18 away games against Barcelona in La Liga.
- 6 of their last 9 encounters produced at least 3 goals.
Form:
- Barcelona in the League: D-L-L-D-W
- Barcelona in all competitions: W-D-W-W-D
- Alaves in the League: D-D-L-W-D
- Alaves in all competitions: D-D-L-W-D
Team News:
- The hosts Barcelona will miss out on the services of Dani Olmo, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, Inigo Martinez, and Andreas Christensen because of the injuries.
- The visitors Alaves will be present with all of their players for their next LaLiga match.
Player(s) to watch:
- Raphinha has been in sensational form this season. Raphinha has led his team to wins in different clashes this season. He can be a real danger to Alaves’ defense. The 28-year-old threatens the defense of his opposition with his movements and position on the pitch. Goal scoring has been one of his favourite things on the field this season.
- Kike Garcia is known for his ability to find spaces in opponents’ defense and with that he annoys his opponents time and time again. The Spanish forward has scored nine goals in 20 La Liga matches this season. Alaves should keep him in the starting XI so that he can put some pressure on Barca’s defense.