La Liga Match Preview · Tool Face-Off

Alavés vs Villarreal

Quick answer

Villarreal arrive as clear favorites with superior firepower and European pedigree, but Alavés at home can be scrappy enough to nick a point.

Alavés

The Basque Country battlers who refuse to go quietly

2.8★

Our pick

Villarreal

The Yellow Submarine — Europa League kings with a point to prove

3.8★

League Position (approx.)

Bottom half, 14th–17th range

Top half, 6th–9th range

Average Goals Scored/Game

~1.0

~1.6

Average Goals Conceded/Game

~1.5

~1.1

Recent Form (last 5)

W1 D2 L2

W3 D1 L1

Head-to-Head (last 5 meetings)

1 win

3 wins, 1 draw

Key Player

Carlos Vicente (pace on the break)

Danjuma / Morales (creative spark)

Tactical Shape

4-4-2 low block

4-3-3 possession-based

Injury Concerns

Several first-team regulars doubtful

Minor knocks, squad largely fit

European Pedigree

None recent

2021 UEFA Europa League Champions

Home/Away Record This Season

Home: W2 D3 L4

Away: W4 D2 L3

Manager Experience

Relatively new appointment, adapting

Settled system, clear identity

Relegation Pressure

Yes — every point is precious

No — playing with freedom

Alavés

Squad Depth★★☆☆☆

Current Form★★½☆☆

Home Advantage★★★½☆

Attacking Threat★★½☆☆

Tactical Identity★★★☆☆

Defensive Solidity★★★☆☆

Villarreal

Squad Depth★★★★☆

Current Form★★★★☆

Home Advantage★★★☆☆

Attacking Threat★★★★☆

Tactical Identity★★★★½

Defensive Solidity★★★½☆

Worth knowing

Villarreal have won 3 of the last 5 meetings between these sides, with Alavés managing just one victory.
Alavés are one of La Liga's classic yo-yo clubs — this is roughly their 9th top-flight spell since 1998.
Villarreal's 2021 Europa League title (beating Man United on pens) remains one of Spain's greatest club moments outside the big two.
Alavés' Mendizorroza stadium sits at altitude in Vitoria-Gasteiz, making visiting teams genuinely uncomfortable in winter.
Villarreal are nicknamed 'El Submarino Amarillo' after a Beatles song — possibly the most charming nickname in football.

Villarreal's home city of Vila-real has a population of ~50,000 — meaning their fanbase is smaller than many non-league English clubs, yet they've played Champions League semi-finals. Size really doesn't matter, apparently.

If you want

You want the most likely winner

Villarreal's superior depth, form, and tactical coherence make them the obvious pick to take all three points.

→ Pick Villarreal

If you want

You're backing a low-scoring, gritty affair

Alavés' defensive low block can stifle even quality sides, making a 0-0 or 1-0 scrapper entirely plausible.

→ Pick Alavés

If you want

You want the team with more to lose — and more fight

Relegation pressure turns Alavés into cornered animals at home; desperation can be its own tactic.

→ Pick Alavés

If you want

You want entertaining, attacking football

Villarreal's 4-3-3 presses high and creates chances freely — this is the side more likely to put on a show.

→ Pick Villarreal

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