On February 22, 2025, Alaves will host Espanyol at the Mendizorrotza Stadium, marking a pivotal match for both teams as they battle for survival in La Liga. Currently, Alaves sits at the bottom of the standings, 19th place with only 22 points, struggling to escape the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Espanyol finds itself slightly more secure at 15th place, with 24 points but is only two points clear of danger.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Alaves, who have not tasted victory in their last four league matches, with two draws and two losses. The team's performance has been lackluster, highlighted by yielding 38 goals this season—placing them among the worst defensive records in the league. Expert analysts suggest, "Alaves need to improve their home performance and capitalize on Espanyol’s weak away form." Coach Eduardo Coudet knows time is running out to turn their season around.
Conversely, Espanyol is experiencing their ups and downs, recently picking up points after a disappointing loss to Real Sociedad (1-2), but they secured a draw (1-1) against Athletic Bilbao last matchday. The team has scored just 23 goals this season, which is among the lowest, indicating their struggle to convert opportunities. "Espanyol's away record has been abysmal this season," noted match preview analysts, emphasizing how the Catalan team has only managed to accumulate two points from 11 away fixtures.
Alaves will be seeking to take advantage of their home crowd as they have won three of the last four encounters against Espanyol on their home turf, including one notable match where they triumphed 3-2. This head-to-head advantage could serve as motivation for Coudet’s squad, desperate for any points as they approach the business end of the season.
Analysts predict another tough contest, with many expecting it to be low-scoring. “Expecting a low-scoring draw or close win for Alaves based on their home advantage and Espanyol's away struggles,” said betting experts, who have examined both teams' recent performances.
Statistical evidence does lend support to these predictions: Alaves has been able to score only one goal during the first half of their last six home games. Meanwhile, for Espanyol, scoring early has also been elusive on the road. They have failed to find the net within the first 45 minutes of 10 of their last 11 away matches, raising doubts about either team's ability to score quickly.
With both teams vying for points to secure their positions, the clash on the pitch promises to be tight and tense. Fans are left wondering if Alaves can finally secure their first win after so many matches without one, or if Espanyol can maintain their lead out of the relegation zone. The outcome of this match could be significant for both teams' ambitions and their prospects as the La Liga season plays out.