Alaves - Girona predictions and free betting tips [10/05/2024]

On Friday, the 10th of May, as part of the 35th round of the Spanish La Liga, "Alaves" will host "Girona" on their home turf. The away team has already secured their spot in the Champions League and currently hold second place in the league table, leading Barcelona by one point. On the other hand, the White-Blues are concluding their season without any specific tasks.

Alaves

Having returned to La Liga last summer, "Alaves" set only one task for this season: to maintain their top division status. Now that has officially occurred, as the Basque club has secured itself from relegation three tours before the end of the campaign, largely thanks to the team's impressive play in recent weeks: three victories in three matches without conceded goals - over "Atletico Madrid" (2:0), "Celta" (3:0) and "Valencia" (0:1) at Mestalla last weekend, thanks to the single goal scored by Javi Lopez. The gap from the 10th placed "Getafe" is only two points, so there is a chance to finish in the upper half of the league table for the first time this decade. However, the schedule may not allow this: after the duel with "Girona", Luis Garcia's charges will visit Madrid's "Real".

This season "El Glorioso" have gathered 27 points in 17 home matches, placing them with the tenth-best record in the overall ranking. Samu Omorodion (8 goals) had a crazy first half of the season, however, he will now be unavailable due to too many yellow cards. Defenders Sedlar and Duarte are in recovery while Gorosabel was training separately from the group last week but should be back by Friday. The starting line-up may only change once compared to the previous tour: Rafa Marin will start on the right flank of the defence. Kike Garcia will once again be the creative spark in the attack, supported by Vicente, Guridi, and Simeone in midfield.

Girona

The Catalan club, promoted two years ago, will play in the Champions League for the first time in its history next season, largely thanks to the win over "Barcelona" in the derby last weekend, and the fact that the visitors hold second place in the La Liga standings. Michel's wards encountered some difficulties in the early second half, but brilliant finishing by Portu (2 goals, 1 assist) threw chaos in the Blaugranas' defence; Dovbyk and Gutierrez also scored. Notably, "Girona" defeated "Barça" twice this season (victory in the first round was also 2:4). Just like the upcoming Friday opponent, the Catalans have a three-match winning streak, having defeated "Las Palmas" (0:2) and "Cadiz" at home (4:1) at the end of April.

It's important to note that the guests hold the third spot in the overall rank by away points (30 in 17 away games, 27 goals scored, 23 conceded). Team's squad won't include Arturo and Roca, while the veteran striker Stuani (37 years old, 8 goals, 2 assists) recently joined the injury list. Borja Garcia (1 goal in 11 matches of this season), according to rumours, suffered an old injury recurrence and will probably miss this trip, along with Romero. The top goalscorer of La Liga with 20 goals and 6 assists, Ukraine's Dovbyk, will start, aided by Portu, Savio (8 goals, 9 assists) and Tsygankov (6 goals, 4 assists). Aleix Garcia and Yangel Herrera will carry on in midfield, whereas Garcia and Gutierrez will play on the defensive flanks.

Head-to-head

"Girona" had a 3:0 victory over "Alaves" in the first round in Catalonia. However, in two previous away head-to-head encounters, the Burgundy-whites failed to win either time.

Match prediction Alaves – Girona

Both teams are in great form in recent weeks, with three victories each, but "Girona" is motivated from a league perspective by the fight for second place, and as a result, cannot afford to slip. Of course, guest's personnel losses could complicate life for coach Michel, but throughout large parts of the season, the Catalans couldn't count on certain leaders due to injuries. My bet is that the away team will take all three points on Friday evening.