Valencia vs Alaves – La Liga – Preview

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Sreya

Valencia vs Alaves – Valencia host Alaves at the Estadio Mestalla on 22nd September, Thursday amidst what has been a disastrous start to their La Liga campaign. Valencia have lost all of their four league fixtures, struggling at the bottom of the top division standings.

Trouble has continued for Valencia behind the scenes with Pako Ayestaran being sacked yesterday after only six months at helm. Ayestaran had taken over from Gary Neville in March but won only three of his thirteen matches in charge of the Spanish club.

Alaves sit on the eleventh position in league standings with six points from three draws and a solitary win over Barcelona.

Team News

Former Valencia defender Voro Gonzalez has taken over the managerial reigns on an interim basis and will be missing only two members of the first team squad – Ezequiel Garay and Mat Ryan, both of whom are sidelined through injuries. Enzo Perez returns from suspension and is expected to replace Mario Suarez.

Zouhair Feddal is the visiting side’s only injury concern.

Valencia Possible Starting Lineup: Diego Alves, Joao Cancelo, Aymen Abdennour, Elaquim Mangala, Jose Gaya, Alvaro Medran, Enzo Perez, Daniel Parejo, Nani, Munir El Haddadi, Santi Mina.

Alaves Possible Starting Lineup: Fernando Pacheco, Kiko Femenia, Alexis, Victor LaGuardia, Theo Hernandez, Manuel Garcia, Marcos Llorente, David Torres, Edgar Mendez, Deyverson, Ibai Gomez.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Valencia vs Alaves H2H Stats, Valencia have won four and drawn one of their last five matches against Alaves.

Although Valencia have lost their last seven matches in the La Liga, they have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches against Alaves in all competitions. The Los Che might be struggling in recent past, but have a strong enough squad to challenge for a finish in the top half of the league standings.

It should be a closely contested affair with a 1-1 draw being the most likely result.