Villarreal vs Alaves- Match Preview and Prediction

Villarreal have won just one of their last five games against Alavés in Primera División (D1 L3), 3-2 in 2006 in their last game. The Basque side have won just one of their last five games at El Madrigal in La Liga (L4), 0-1 in 2002. Villarreal have gone five wins in a row at El Madrigal in La Liga and they have not gone six in a row at home since March 2015 (eight). Alavés have not won two games in a row away from Mendizorroza in the top-flight since January 2002 (0-1 against Tenerife and 1-2 against Real Sociedad). Bruno Soriano (258) could equal Marcos Senna (259) as the Villarreal player with the most appearances in the top-flight. Deyverson has scored three goals in his last six La Liga games, as many as in his previous 15 games. Seven of the 14 goals scored by Villarreal at home in La Liga 16/17 have been netted by Italian players (Nicola Sansone has scored four and Roberto Soriano three). Only Diego López (81.2%) has a higher rate of saves than Sergio Asenjo (78.3%) in La Liga this season (at least seven appearances). Only Diego Alves (three) has saved more penalties than Fernando Pacheco (two) in La Liga this season. Villarreal have scored 21% of their goals from the penalty spot in La Liga this season, the highest rate this term.

Team News
Villarreal
Denis Cheryshev is back available for the first-team after an eye problem, but isn’t expected to start.
Roberto Soldado is Fran Escriba’s only injury absentee at present, with Cedric Bakambu and Nicola Sansone set to continue up top.
No big changes are expected from the hosts, after they had the chance to rotate against Zurich midweek.
Alaves
Alexis is an important absentee for the always side, as the ex-Getafe man has picked up an accumulation of yellow cards.
Victor Laguardia is back after injury and should come straight back into the heart of the defence as a result.
Espinoza may get a start out on the right, with Theo Hernandez set to be preferred on the left-hand side once again.

Prediction