Team News and Key Players

Alaves enter the match with an identifiable spine. Antonio Blanco is expected to continue in midfield, while Mariano Diaz has scored twice off the bench this season and is described as a candidate to start. Tomas Mendes is suspended, but the preview otherwise describes the home side as being in strong shape. That creates a tactical choice for Alaves: retain the blend that produced four points, or add another penalty-box presence through Diaz. Villarreal's latest draw contained another significant contribution from Gerard Moreno, who scored from the bench against Atletico and may move into the starting side alongside Georges Mikautadze. New signing Nathan Saliba could make his debut, and Alassane Diatta is available again. Those possibilities should be treated as predicted rather than confirmed selections. The recent sequence also matters. Alaves have conceded once in two league games, whereas Villarreal have scored four and conceded four. The visitors' attacking quality is evident, but their next step is to give their forwards a platform that does not require another chase from behind or another open exchange.

Head to Head

Alaves lead the reported overall series with 16 wins from 34 meetings, compared with Villarreal's 14. More immediately, Villarreal have not won away at Alaves since January 2020. That does not guarantee anything in a new season, but it adds context to a fixture in which Villarreal arrive without a victory and Alaves have begun confidently. Historical records should not replace match analysis; they do, however, underline why Mendizorroza can be a difficult setting for a side whose opening two league games have both become high-scoring draws.

Tactical Breakdown

Alaves may prefer a compact central block, using Blanco to link recoveries with the runners either side of the striker. The hosts do not need to dominate possession to make the game productive: their 3-0 win over Getafe showed that clear chances and defensive control can coexist. Villarreal's best route is likely to involve the movement of Mikautadze and Moreno around the box, with Pape Gueye, Santi Comesana and Alex Baena-type midfield zones asked to provide second-wave support rather than leaving the forwards isolated. The key issue is the moment possession turns over. Villarreal cannot allow Alaves to attack unprotected wide spaces, while Alaves must avoid dropping so deep that Moreno and Mikautadze can receive freely between the lines. Set-piece territory and the quality of the first clearance may be decisive in a contest likely to feature long spells of patient visiting possession.

Key Questions to Watch

Will Villarreal finally convert a promising start into a first league win? Can Alaves make their early defensive discipline hold against a deeper forward group? Does Diaz change the home side's threat if he starts, and can Moreno translate his bench impact into a decisive central role? These questions give the match its shape without requiring a promised scoreline.

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