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Competition: La Liga
Market: Villarreal win
Odds: 8/13 @ 1xBet
Hoping to extend their spot in the Champions League places, Villarreal will welcome Alaves to the Estadio de la Ceramica on Saturday afternoon.
Starting with the hosts, while Villarreal might have been left hugely frustrated last season as they missed out on booking a European return, the Yellow Submarine have enjoyed a real La Liga romp this time around. Last seen in top-flight action collecting a 2-1 victory away at Real Valladolid, Marcelino’s men suddenly have their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine Champions League charge this year. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures battling it out in the top-four chase, the former Athletic Bilbao boss has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous six domestic appearances across all competitions. Signing off September with a 3-1 win against Las Palmas, Villarreal have also lost just a pair of their first 12 La Liga showdowns so far this season. It should also be highlighted, Marcelino’s side have lost just two La Liga contests in front of their own supporters over the past 11 months.
As for the visitors, managing to make a crucial return to winning ways last week as they snatched a 1-0 victory against Mallorca, Alaves will be desperate to use that gritty performance as a platform to build on. However, although Luis Garcia Plaza’s side might have sprung an upset last season as they clinched a top-half finish among Spain’s elite, the Babazorros have struggled to find any real stability this time around. Heading into October’s international break with a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of runaway leaders Barcelona, Alaves have lost five of their previous six La Liga appearances. Likewise, opening the new campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Celta Vigo on August 16th, Saturday’s guests have also gained a real reputation for their glaring struggles on the road.
Bet: Villarreal 8/13 to beat Alaves in Saturday’s La Liga showdown @ 1xBet