Barcelona vs Alaves prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-02-01 13:00.
[p]After a midweek 2-2 draw with Atalanta confirmed their already-assured direct progression to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona will now aim to save their flailing La Liga campaign and close the gap on eternal rivals and table-toppers Real Madrid. At first glance, Barças eight-game unbeaten run (W6, D2) across all competitions appears to paint an ideal picture as they line up to face Alavés.[/p]
[p]But a quick glance at Barcelona’s La Liga form reveals that they’ve won only two of their last nine league outings (D3, L4)! Despite their wobbles, there’s little doubt that a 7-1 La Liga victory over Valencia last round, as well as their 14-match unbeaten streak against AlavĂ©s (W12, D2) – which is their longest-ever such run against the side in the Spanish top-flight – should have Hansi Flick’s men feeling ultra confident ahead of this match.[/p]
[p]They shouldn’t expect it all their own way as Alavés have not lost any of their last three away games in La Liga (W1, D2), which is a far cry from the type of travelling form that saw them lose their six prior league games on the road. Their current streak includes a brilliant 3-1 victory over Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis in their last La Liga away game, during which in-form forward Kike Garcia struck a brilliant hat-trick. [/p]
[p]It’s been the goals Alavés have conceded on their travels which has been their issue with only two La Liga sides having leaked more this season than the Basque side’s 22 league away goals against ahead of this round. In fact, they have not kept a travelling La Liga clean sheet for 13 straight games, which is their worst run since going 22 games without keeping one between 2021 and 2023![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Raphinha had created the most chances out of any player in the top five leagues this campaign heading into this weekend, with only teammate Robert Lewandowski securing more than the Brazilian’s 18 La Liga goal contributions (G12, A6) at that same point. Veteran AlavĂ©s forward GarcĂa has scored six goals in his last six La Liga games, which is as many as in his previous 75 games in the competition! [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Barcelona have scored in each of their last 64 home games against Basque opponents in La Liga, last failing to do so against Alavés in 2000!  [/p]
[p][i]Written by Luke Bridle[/i][/p]