Alavés vs Valencia – News and Probable Lineups

Currently, Valencia is in a challenging position without a permanent head coach as they prepare for Tuesday’s La Liga fixture against Alaves at Mendizorroza.

Los Che find themselves at the bottom of the table, while their opponents enter this midweek round in a top-four position.

Match overview

After successfully guiding Alaves to safety last season, Quique Sanchez Flores began his first full campaign in charge with an unbeaten streak of four matches (W3, D1).

After collecting a total of four points from their opening two matches, Alaves secured consecutive victories against Villarreal and Osasuna, the latter of which was marked by a striking 5-2 scoreline.

Regrettably for El Glorioso, their unbeaten run ended with a 2-1 defeat against Racing Santander on Saturday, which saw them take an early lead through Ville Koski.

Despite this setback, the Basque side remains in a solid position within La Liga, currently sitting third with 10 points, matching Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, and just two points shy of Real Madrid in second.

With all three victories occurring at Mendizorroza, Alaves goes into this Tuesday’s match as one of four teams boasting a perfect home record in La Liga, alongside Real Madrid, Real Betis, and league leaders Barcelona.

They can draw motivation from their impressive record at home against Valencia, having remained unbeaten in their last seven encounters (W4, D3) and keeping a clean sheet in the last three meetings at Mendizorroza.

In stark contrast to their hosts, Valencia has had a disappointing start to the season, accruing only one point across their first five fixtures.

This includes a goalless draw against Celta Vigo, followed by four straight losses, culminating in a narrow 1-0 defeat last Friday away at Sevilla.

The loss at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan led Valencia to part ways with head coach Carlos Corberan and CEO Ron Gourlay, while Braulio Vazquez has returned as the new sports director.

Though Valencia is actively searching for a new manager, interim duties have fallen to the club’s B team manager, Oscar Sanchez, as they approach difficult matches against Alaves and Real Sociedad before a three-week international break.

Sanchez’s challenge is to uplift a team currently two points from safety, which has only scored once in their past five games.

Their issues in front of goal definitely hinder hopes for securing their first league win at Mendizorroza since a 2-1 triumph in October 2017.

Team News

The home side will be missing defender Facundo Garces and midfielder Mikel Rodriguez, both sidelined by anterior cruciate ligament injuries since the onset of the month.

Additionally, forward Aitor Manas will be unavailable for the next two games due to concussion protocols after being stretchered off with a head injury late in Saturday’s match.

Sanchez is anticipated to make changes to his squad, with Carles Alena and Toni Martinez both vying for starting positions at Mestalla.

Meanwhile, Valencia is without an injured quintet consisting of Mouctar Diakhaby, Jose Manuel Copete, Dimitri Foulquier, Diego Lopez, and Umar Sadiq.

Defender Cesar Tarrega’s availability will be assessed following his withdrawal during the first half due to a hamstring issue last Friday.

Luis Rioja is back after a two-match injury layoff, though it’s uncertain if Guido Rodriguez will recover in time for the Tuesday match.

Alaves probable starting XI:

Silver; Tenaglia, Koski, Otto; Perez, Ibanez, Blanco, Alena, Rebbach; Boye, Martinez

Valencia probable starting XI:

Dimitriexi; Maffeo, Cordoba, De Haas, Vazquez; Dieng, Pepelu; Otorbi, Elliott, Sato; Hard

Although Valencia might approach the game with a bit more freedom following Corberan’s exit, while this change could potentially lead to a goal, it seems that earning a draw is the most realistic outcome for them at a ground where they haven’t succeeded in nearly a decade.