Alaves vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-04-22 19:30.
[p]After overachieving by finishing tenth in 2023/24 on their return to La Liga, AlavĂ©s are in danger of suffering âsecond-season syndromeâ having slipped into the relegation zone over the weekend. An improvement is therefore needed to ensure that the Basque outfit do not become embedded in the bottom three, but with just two wins in their last 12 matches (D5, L5), including a 1-1 draw against Sevilla at the weekend, itâs hard to see where that turnaround will come from. [/p]
[p]The AlavĂ©s faithful have witnessed El Gloriosoâs downturn first-hand, as their side have won only one of their last nine home games (D3, L5) and have lost four of their last five without scoring (W1). The arrival of Real Sociedad might lift their spirits considering that AlavĂ©s tasted victory in the reverse fixture 2-1, but they have not secured a league double over their upcoming opponents since the 2001/02 season![/p]
[p]It remains to be seen what mindset the Sociedad players will be in, as they could still be rueing Sundayâs 2-2 draw with Villarreal, which was another missed opportunity to break into the European qualification spots. La Real consequently find themselves in ninth place and will be desperate for a strong end to the campaign, having finished each of the last five seasons in the top six.[/p]
[p]Manager Imanol Alguacil will know that solidifying his sideâs leaky defence will contribute hugely to their aspirations of moving up the table, as they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 16 matches across all competitions. Something that is already improving is their away form, as they have collected points in their last three La Liga games on the road (W1, D2) after losing their previous five such encounters.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: If Alavés keep things tight, then perhaps Joan Jordån can steal the show, since his last six goals have all arrived after half-time. That may depend on whether the in-form Mikel Oyarzabal has his way, considering that he has scored eight times in his last six games for club and country, with his last five goals for Sociedad coming away from home. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Alavés have won just three out of 13 La Liga matches this season when starting as betting favourites (D5, L5).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]