Deportivo Alaves vs Valencia 07/03/20

7 March 2020

Deportivo Alaves welcome Valencia to the Estadio Mendizorrotza hoping to put an end to their two-game losing run in La Liga (LL) H2Hs.

The hosts have really struggled for consistency since the turn of the year (W3, D3, L2), with six of their eight league games in 2020 saw both teams on the scoresheet. In turn, all six of their previous LL home matches have seen both teams score, with Alaves allowing the opening goal on four of those occasions (W3, D2, L1). The ‘Babazorros’ will surely be desperate to step up their first-half performances. Indeed, just four of their 17 LL home goals scored so far came before halftime (24%), which is one of the reasons why only 46% (six) of their 13 LL home fixtures featured over 0.5 first-half goals. Yet, despite the genuine lack of first-half goals, five of Alaves’ last seven LL home games have produced over 2.5 total match goals.

The visitors brought their three-game winless league run to a halt (D1, L2) with a 2-1 home triumph over Real Betis last weekend to remain in contention for the top-four finish. Sitting four points adrift of fourth-placed Getafe, the Oranges now need to terminate a three-game losing LL away streak, as they continue to seek their first road triumph in the new calendar year. In fact, Valencia’s disastrous away performances since the turn of 2020 have seen them lose all three of their league away games, each via a three-goal margin. Interestingly, all three of their last top-flight trips to Alaves have yielded the identical 2-1 scoreline (W1, L2), with both of those defeats seeing Valencia blow a one-goal lead.