Villarreal heads into this La Liga clash with Alaves riding high on their ambitions. They're sitting pretty in fourth place with 54 points, chasing that coveted Champions League spot. And while we don't have their latest results, their position speaks volumes about a solid campaign so far.
Over on the other side, Alaves are in a tough spot. They're languishing in 16th with just 27 points, and they've been unable to notch a win in their last five league games. That streak paints a grim picture for a team that's fighting tooth and nail to avoid the drop. With suspensions hitting hard—Ander Guevara and Jon Pacheco both out after red cards against Valencia—things look even dicier for them. I reckon that's going to leave some gaps in their lineup that Villarreal can exploit.
Looking back, these two met earlier this season on January 10th, and Villarreal came out on top with a 3-1 victory. It's the only recent head-to-head we've got, but it sets a clear tone. Villarreal's drive for European football contrasts sharply with Alaves' desperation for points. They've got the edge in quality and form, at least from what we know.
Don't expect Alaves to roll over, though; teams in the relegation scrap often dig deep. Still, Villarreal should fancy their chances of controlling this one. Expect them to push forward and capitalize on Alaves' vulnerabilities. It's a mismatch on paper, and I'd back the Yellow Submarine to come away with the points.
That brings us to the picks. Based on Villarreal's superior league standing and their win in the last meeting, here's where I'm putting my money.
Recommended Bets
Bet 1 @1.60 — Villarreal to win; they're in a stronger position and beat Alaves recently, so this feels like a safe shout.
Bet 2 @2.20 — Over 2.5 goals; given Villarreal's attacking style in their last encounter, we could see goals flow.
Bet 3 @2.00 — Villarreal -1 handicap; with Alaves winless in five and missing key players, the hosts should win by more than one.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
