Match Preview: Alaves vs Barcelona - prediction, team news, live stream

La Liga Showdown: Alaves Hosts Title-Chasing Barcelona

With the La Liga title all but secured, Barcelona travels to Estadio Mendizorrotza to face Alaves, who are looking to spoil the party and gain crucial points to solidify their position in the league table. The hosts have had a mixed run of form, while the visitors have been on a tear, winning five consecutive away matches. The stakes are high, and the intensity is expected to be palpable in this mid-week clash.

Match Details

• Competition: La Liga (Spain)
• Venue: Estadio Mendizorrotza, Vitoria-Gasteiz
• Kick-off: Wednesday, 13 May 2026 • 20:30 UK Time
• Referee: None

Current Form

Alaves' recent form has been inconsistent, with a mix of losses, wins, and draws. They have struggled to find a rhythm, which has hindered their ability to string together a series of positive results. On the other hand, Barcelona has been in scintillating form, particularly on the road, where they have won five consecutive matches. This level of consistency has been a hallmark of their title chase, and they will look to continue this trend against Alaves.

Team News & Lineups

Alaves will be without the suspended F. Garces, while L. Boye and J. Guridi are questionable due to injuries. Barcelona, on the other hand, will be missing A. Christensen and Lamine Yamal due to injuries, as well as Raphinha, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. These absences may force both teams to adjust their lineups, which could have a significant impact on the match's dynamics.

Head-to-Head

The most recent encounter between these two teams ended in a 3-1 victory for Barcelona. This result suggests that Barcelona has the upper hand in this matchup, and they will look to build on this momentum. Alaves, however, will be seeking to avenge this loss and prove that they can compete with the league's top teams.

Tactical Analysis

Given the lack of specific tactical data, it is reasonable to infer that Barcelona will likely employ their usual 4-3-3 formation, which has been the foundation of their success this season. Alaves, on the other hand, may opt for a more defensive approach, potentially using a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation to counter Barcelona's attacking prowess. The key battlegrounds will likely be in the midfield, where Barcelona's creative players will look to exploit any weaknesses in Alaves' defense.

Match Prediction

Based on the current form and head-to-head history, it is likely that Barcelona will emerge victorious, expecting around 3 goals in the match. Alaves may put up a fight, but ultimately, Barcelona's quality and depth should prove too much for them to handle. A 2-0 or 3-1 win for Barcelona is a realistic outcome, as they look to take another step closer to securing the La Liga title.