Alaves vs Granada CF prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-11-23 20:00.
AlavĂ©s have resisted the temptation to use the international break as a chance to change manager, despite the mounting pressure on Luis GarcĂa. The current boss has seen his side tumble down the La Liga (LL) table after a run of just one win in their last nine league outings (D3, L5), with only a strong start to the campaign to thank for keeping them out of the relegation zone.
The most recent of those games was a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona, when Alavés took the lead in the first half, but surrendered their advantage by conceding twice after the break. That defeat extended a dismal defensive record to just two clean sheets in the top flight this season, but what is equally worrying is their lack of goals at the other end, as only Cádiz have netted fewer than Alavés’ 11 total LL goals.
They may be confident of changing that in this fixture though, and fast, as visitors Granada have conceded a league-high 17 first-half goals. That has contributed to putting the relegation-threatened outfit at risk of an immediate return to the second tier, as they sit inside the bottom three with only seven points from 13 games.
Paco López’s side did at least head into the international break on a relative high after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Getafe. But their away form is of major concern with five of their six LL matches on the road having ended in defeat (D1). Supporters may carry some faith in ending that record at Mendizorrotza as their side have won seven of the last nine H2Hs (D1, L1).
Key battle: AlavĂ©s will be hoping Kike GarcĂa can extend an eight-game unbeaten run in games in which he has scored (W7, D1), including a 2-0 victory over Granada in January 2022 when playing for Osasuna. Attempting to thwart him may be opposition defender Ignasi Miquel, although he has never helped to keep a clean sheet in five H2Hs (W1, D1, L3).
Hot streak: Alavés have scored exactly once in their past five league games.