Alaves take on the visitors Barcelona in the round 36 match of Spanish LaLiga. The match will be played on Wednesday, May 13th at Estadio Mendizorrotza (Vitoria-Gasteiz).
Alaves are trying to deliver their usual kind of result, but that status is now under real threat. “The Bean Destroyers” have not achieved anything particularly notable for quite some time. Still, since returning from the Segunda División, they have consistently collected enough points year after year to preserve their top-flight status. That was the case in 2024/2025 as well, when 42 points were enough for a 15th-place finish, with several clubs ending level on points. This season had largely followed a similarly predictable path, with Alavés doing just enough to stay afloat for most of the campaign. Their home form, in particular, has often kept them competitive, even if performances have rarely been spectacular. On the other hand, the forced managerial change in the spring initially brought a positive effect. After Eduardo Coudet left for his homeland, he was replaced by the more experienced Quique Sánchez Flores, especially well-versed in Spanish football realities. Under him, the team mostly kept picking up points, with only a narrow 1-2 defeat to Real Madrid CF standing out as a setback. However, another defeat against Athletic Club and only a draw against Elche CF mean they enter this round sitting in the dangerous 18th position.
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Barcelona ended the 2023/2024 season without a single trophy, which was exactly when they parted ways with club legend Xavi Hernández and brought in Hansi Flick. Flick immediately delivered all three domestic Spanish trophies the following season, with only the UEFA Champions League escaping them. They fell short there again this spring, suffering too heavy a defeat against Atlético de Madrid in the first leg, then winning the return match but by an insufficient margin for a comeback. A similar story had unfolded earlier in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Barcelona’s recent league form, though, has shown the kind of consistency that explains why the title race was effectively over before the final weeks. Even with rotation and reduced pressure, they have continued to control matches with the authority of a champion side. They had already retained the Spanish Super Cup in January by defeating Real Madrid CF in the final, and thanks to Madrid’s slip-ups, built a commanding lead in La Liga. As a result, they arrived at El Clásico with a huge cushion, and the 2-0 victory there — even without some of their headline stars — officially secured another title.
Over the last quarter-century, since 2001, “The Bean Destroyers” have beaten the Spanish giant only once. Moreover, each of the last six meetings has ended in victory for “More Than a Club.” Of course, it may be difficult for Barcelona to find maximum motivation now, while their opponents are fighting for survival. Still, backing the visitors with a draw no bet option looks like the sensible choice.
Prediction for the match: Alaves to win with 0.0 handicap.
