The Villarreal versus Alavés match presents a crucial opportunity for Villarreal to close the gap on the league leaders. This encounter is particularly significant as it occurs while the Supercopa is underway, potentially impacting other teams’ standings. Villarreal aims to maintain their impressive home form, having only conceded defeat at La Cerámica to Barcelona. The Alavés squad will be looking to cause an upset and break their current run of disappointing results. Villarreal began the new year with a victory against Elche, and today offers a prime chance to solidify their position in LaLiga. Manager Marcelino welcomes back Renato Veiga, Buchanan, and Partey, though significant changes to the lineup that secured the win last weekend are not anticipated. The offensive prowess of Villarreal will likely hinge on the continued strong performances of Moleiro, who has scored seven goals, and Mikautadze, who showed promise in their recent league match. The Alavés team, managed by Coudet, did not inspire confidence in their recent draw against Oviedo. Today’s fixture is a chance to reverse a trend that has seen them accumulate only four points from their last seven games. The Argentine coach, who has sidelined Mariano and Diarrá, will be without Denis Suárez due to contractual agreements related to his transfer. Protesoni is also unavailable following his expulsion against Oviedo. Guevara and Guridi are contenders for a midfield spot. Boyé is out injured, and Toni Martínez is the likely choice to lead the attack. Coudet welcomes back Parada after his suspension and may opt to utilize the flanks with Carlos Vicente and Abde, aiming to exploit the wings. The key duel in this match will likely be between the dynamic wingers, Pépé for Villarreal and Carlos Vicente for Alavés. Both players are known for their speed and verticality, and both are having strong seasons. Pépé has contributed two goals and two assists, while Carlos Vicente has netted four goals for his team. Villarreal 3-1 Alavés Prediction: If Villarreal performs to their league standard, they should comfortably secure a victory against Alavés. The Yellow Submarine has demonstrated considerable solidity, especially at home, where only Barcelona has managed to win. Alavés is a competitive side, but their performance tends to dip when playing away from home. The recent match against Oviedo has raised questions about their current form. The importance of home advantage cannot be overstated for Villarreal. Their ability to control games at La Cerámica is a significant factor that often deters visiting teams. Alavés will need to be exceptionally organized defensively and clinical on the counter-attack to stand any chance. The midfield battle will be crucial in dictating the tempo of the game. Villarreal will aim to control possession and create opportunities through intricate passing, while Alavés might focus on disrupting their rhythm and winning the ball in advanced areas. The tactical approach of both managers will be under scrutiny. Marcelino is known for his pragmatic and defensively sound strategies, while Coudet might seek to inject more attacking flair into his side, especially if they find themselves chasing the game. The offensive output from both teams will be a key determinant of the final score. Villarreal’s reliance on players like Moleiro and Mikautadze highlights their attacking intent. Alavés will need their forwards to be sharp and make the most of any chances that come their way. The prediction of Lorenzo Lara suggests a comfortable win for Villarreal, reflecting the perceived disparity in form and home advantage. This forecast indicates that the offensive capabilities of Villarreal are expected to overcome Alavés’s challenges. The potential for a high-scoring game exists, given Villarreal’s attacking potential and Alavés’s need to find the net. However, defensive solidity will also play a significant role. The overall analysis points towards Villarreal being the stronger team on paper and in current form. Their home record is a formidable statistic that Alavés will struggle to overcome. The tactical discipline and execution of both teams will be paramount. Any lapses in concentration could prove costly in what is expected to be a keenly contested fixture. The resilience of Alavés when playing away from home will be tested severely. They will need to be at their absolute best to compete with a confident Villarreal side. The final score prediction of 3-1 in favor of Villarreal reflects the expectation of a dominant home performance, with Alavés managing a consolation goal.
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