Sports Mole previews Sunday’s La Liga clash between Alaves and Las Palmas, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Alaves will attempt to claim a second straight win when they welcome Las Palmas to Mendizorroza for Sunday’s La Liga contest.
Las Palmas are still searching for their first win of the season, but they will be in high spirits after holding Real Madrid to a draw on Thursday.
Match preview
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Alaves face the tough task of matching last season’s success after they collected 46 points from 38 matches to achieve a 10th-place finish as they steered well clear of a relegation fight in their first season back in the top flight.
The Basque side experienced an underwhelming start to their second consecutive La Liga campaign, losing 2-1 away to Celta Vigo before playing out a goalless draw against Real Betis in their first home outing of the new season.
However, Alaves received a significant boost in midweek as they fought back from behind to beat 10-man Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.
Brais Mendez opened the scoring just moments after Mikel Oyarzabal had been sent off, but Alaves ultimately made full use of the numerical advantage, with Asier Villalibre levelling from the penalty spot before Toni Martinez came off the bench to score a winner on debut.
After celebrating a win over their fellow Basque side, Alaves will now return home to the home comforts of Mendizorroza where they have avoided defeat in each of their previous five league games.
Having failed to win their last four games against Las Palmas, El Glorioso are looking to claim a head-to-head win for the first time since April 2018.
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Former Real Oviedo boss Luis Carrion is in the early stages of his tenure as Las Palmas head coach after replacing Garcia Pimienta ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The Las Palmas is still waiting for his first win, but he would have been proud of his team’s display in Thursday’s home clash against reigning European champions Real Madrid.
Alberto Moleiro netted a fifth-minute opener to give his side a surprise fifth-minute lead, before Vinicius Junior levelled from the penalty spot in the second period.
While Viti saw his late striker ruled out for an offside infringement, Las Palmas would have still been pleased to take a point off Real Madrid for the first time since playing out a 3-3 draw in March 2017.
The draw takes Las Palmas onto two points after they drew with Sevilla and lost to Leganes in their first two league matches.
Having gone 17 La Liga games without a win, Sunday’s visitors will travel to Mendizorroza with hopes of claiming their first league win since February.
Alaves La Liga form:
Las Palmas La Liga form:
Team News
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Alaves have reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of the weekend, giving head coach Luis Garcia a fully fit squad to choose from for the club’s second home game of the season.
After making several changes in midweek, Garcia could recall Nahuel Tenaglia, Manu Sanchez and Antonio Blanco for Sunday’s contest.
Aleksandar Sedlar has completed his one-match suspension and is now in contention to start in central defence alongside Abdel Abqar.
Midfielder Joan Jordan is set to feature in the matchday squad after recently arriving on a season-long loan deal from Sevilla.
As for the visitors, Carrion is still unable to call upon the attacking duo of Adnan Januzaj and Pejino due to muscle injuries.
Left-back Alex Munoz is set to return to the starting XI, and his involvement would likely see Mika Marmol shift into central defence to partner Scott McKenna.
Having provided two assists in his three La Liga appearances, summer signing Oli McBurnie is expected to retain his place in the lineup, and the 28-year-old will be keen to open his goalscoring account for his new club.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, Sanchez; Blancos, Guevara; Vicente, Guridi, Conechny; Kike
Las Palmas possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Suarez, McKenna, Marmol, A Munoz; J Munoz, Rodriguez; Marvin, Moleiro, Sandro; McBurnie
We say: Alaves 1-1 Las Palmas
Alaves and Las Palmas have seen three of their previous four competitive meetings finish all square, and we think they could play out another draw in Sunday’s clash, especially as the visitors have drawn two of their first three matches this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.