Villarreal eye points haul as struggling Alavés visit La Cerámica

Marcelino’s men have a golden opportunity to close the gap on the league’s high-flyers while the big boys are busy with the Supercopa de España.

Home comforts

Villarreal’s La Cerámica has been something of a fortress this season, with only Barcelona managing to nick all three points on their travels to the east coast. The Yellow Submarine started 2024 with a solid win against Elche and will be looking to build on that momentum against an Alavés side that’s been proper pants recently.

Marcelino’s squad is getting healthier too, with Renato Veiga, Buchanan and Thomas Partey all back in contention. Don’t expect wholesale changes though - when you’re onto a winner, why fix what ain’t broke?

Moleiro magic

The home side’s attack has been ticking along nicely, with:

• Alberto Moleiro in red-hot form with 7 goals this season
• Georges Mikautadze showing promising signs in his last league outing
• Nicolas Pépé continuing to threaten with his pace and directness (2 goals, 2 assists)

Alavés in the doldrums

Things aren’t looking rosy for Eduardo Coudet’s visitors, who’ve managed just four points from their last seven matches. Their recent draw with Oviedo hardly set the world alight, and they’re desperate to turn their form around.

The Argentine gaffer has a few selection headaches to sort:

• Denis Suárez can’t play due to a clause in his transfer deal
• Protesoni is suspended after seeing red against Oviedo
• Mariano and Diarrá remain out of favour
• Toni Martínez looks set to lead the line with Boyé unavailable

On the plus side, Parada returns from suspension, and Coudet might inject some pace on the flanks with Carlos Vicente (four goals this term) and Abde getting the nod.

This has all the makings of a tasty encounter between Villarreal’s home strength and an Alavés side with nothing to lose. Could be a right Bobby Dazzler!