Alaves are staring down a tough fight in La Liga's lower ranks as they host Mallorca this weekend. They're battling to avoid the drop, and it's not getting any easier with their recent wobbles.
Take a look at Alaves' last five outings: they lost to Real Madrid, drew with Real Sociedad and Osasuna, snatched a win against Celta Vigo, and tied with Villarreal. That's a mixed bag, but they're picking up points just enough to keep hopes alive. Mallorca, on the other hand, have been steadier. Their streak includes a draw with Valencia, wins over Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid—yeah, you read that right—and a loss to Elche before beating Espanyol. They've got momentum on their side, which could spell trouble for the home team.
And don't forget the head-to-head history. Back in September 2025, Mallorca edged out Alaves 1-0, adding a bit of extra spice to this encounter. Injuries aren't helping Alaves either; Carlos Protesoni's out with a muscle issue, which might disrupt their lineup. Mallorca's woes are deeper, with Antonio Raíllo sidelined until June, and Zito Luvumbo, Jan Salas, and Mateo Joseph all nursing serious injuries. That could thin their squad, but they've managed to grind out results anyway.
In the league table, Alaves sit 17th on 33 points from 32 games, their goal difference a worrying -12. Mallorca are a notch above at 14th with 35 points and a -9 GD. It's clear Alaves are in a relegation scrap, while Mallorca can afford to play with less pressure. Key figures might turn the tide here. Lucas Boyé leads Alaves' attack with 11 goals, and Toni Martínez isn't far behind at eight. But Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi is a beast up front, bagging an impressive 21 goals this season. He's the one to watch, especially with his dark brown hair and beard making him stand out on the pitch.
Boyé, with his Argentine-Italian roots and clean-shaven look, will need to step up if Alaves want to challenge. I expect Mallorca to edge this one, given their superior form and that clinical edge from Muriqi. They should come out on top, but it's football—anything can happen in a relegation battle.
That brings us to the bets. Mallorca's recent wins make them a solid pick.
Recommended Bets
Bet 1 @2.50 — Mallorca to win, as they've won three of their last five and boast a better league position than struggling Alaves.
Bet 2 @1.80 — Over 2.5 goals, considering both teams' matches have seen plenty of scoring lately, like Alaves' 3-3 draw and Mallorca's high-octane wins.
Bet 3 @3.00 — Vedat Muriqi to score anytime; he's netted 21 goals this season and could exploit Alaves' defensive issues.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
