Deportivo Alavés vs Real Sociedad: A Defensive Battle at Mendizorrotza

In La Liga matchday 16, Deportivo Alavés hosts Real Sociedad at Mendizorrotza on December 6th. 14th-placed Alavés (15 points) against 10th-placed Real Sociedad (16 points). Both teams have decent defenses but weak attacks. A tight game with few goals is expected.

Real Sociedad (10th)

• ●14 Matches: 4 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses
• ●Goals For/Against: 19 goals scored, 21 goals conceded
• ●Goal Difference: -2
• ●Points: 16 points
• ●Average per game: 1.36 goals scored / 1.5 goals conceded

Deportivo Alavés (14th)

• ●14 Matches: 4 wins, 3 draws, 7 losses
• ●Goals For/Against: 12 goals scored, 15 goals conceded
• ●Goal Difference: -3
• ●Points: 15 points
• ●Average per game: 0.86 goals scored / 1.07 goals conceded

Both teams are lingering in the bottom half of the table. They lack scoring power, and their defenses aren't perfect either. This match is crucial for both sides.

Real Sociedad's Ascending Trend

They've recorded 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in their last 6 matches. They've scored 2.33 goals and conceded 1.33 goals per game. They're in good form.

Looking at all competitions:

• ●Last 7 matches: 86% unbeaten (6 matches)
• ●Last 10 matches: 5 wins (50%)

However, their away form is a problem:

• ●Last 12 away league matches: Only 2 wins
• ●Last 12 away matches: 10 winless matches (83%)
• ●Last 20 away matches: 50% losses (10 losses)

They are really weak away from home.

Alavés' Home Strength

They've recorded 3 wins and 3 losses in their last 6 matches. They've scored 2.17 goals and conceded only 1 goal per game. Their defense is decent.

There are many low-scoring games at home:

• ●Last 3 home matches: 0.67 goals scored / 0.67 goals conceded

Their long-term home record is good:

• ●Last 11 home league matches: 9 unbeaten matches (82%)
• ●Last 11 home matches overall: 9 unbeaten matches (82%)

But they haven't won much recently:

• ●Last 10 league matches: 8 winless matches (80%)
• ●Last 14 league matches: 7 winless matches (50%)

The most recent match (April 23rd):

• ●1-0 Alavés win (Alavés home)

Tenaglia scored in the 65th minute. Real Sociedad dominated the game with 63% possession, but had 0 shots on target. Alavés converted one of their 11 shots into a goal.

In the last 4 home head-to-head matches, Alavés has recorded 2 draws.

Alavés' 4-2-3-1

The team under manager Luis García Plaza is defensive at home. Martínez and Boyé aim to score up front, supported by Suárez and Aleña in midfield.

Tenaglia and Parada lead the defense. Their solid defense, conceding only 0.67 goals per game at home, is their weapon.

Injured: Antonio Sivera (starting goalkeeper), Facundo Garcés

Real Sociedad's 4-2-3-1

The team under manager Imanol Alguacil is in good form recently. Sadiq is responsible for finishing up front, with Kubo and Méndez attacking from the flanks.

Soler and Gorrotxategi control the midfield, and Caleta-Car leads the defense. But they are weak away from home.

Injured: Oyarzabal, Zakharyan, Herrera, Goti, and Odriozola (lack of attacking depth)

1. Alavés' Home Defense

They only concede 0.67 goals per game at home. Their solid defense is their weapon. Can they stop Real Sociedad's away attack?

2. Real Sociedad's Away Struggles

They haven't won 10 out of their last 12 away games. It seems difficult to break this jinx. Moreover, key attacking players are out injured.

3. Possibility of a Low-Scoring Game

Alavés only scores 0.67 goals per game at home, and Real Sociedad struggles away from home. The game is likely to have few goals.

analysis Probability:

• ●Draw: 36%
• ●Predicted Score: 1-1

The algorithm is predicting a draw. Alavés' home unbeaten streak (9 games) and Real Sociedad's away struggles (10 winless games) balance each other out.

Deportivo Alavés (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: Fernández
• ●DF: Otto, Tenaglia, Parada, Enríquez
• ●MF: Gonzálvez, Blanco
• ●AM: Suárez, Aleña
• ●FW: Martínez, Boyé

⚠️ Out: Antonio Sivera (Goalkeeper), Facundo Garcés

Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: Remiro
• ●DF: Aramburu, Martín, Caleta-Car, Gómez
• ●MF: Soler, Gorrotxategi
• ●AM: Guedes, Kubo, Méndez
• ●FW: Sadiq

⚠️ Out: Oyarzabal, Zakharyan, Herrera, Goti, Odriozola

A really tight game is expected. Alavés is unbeaten in 9 of their last 11 home games, and Real Sociedad hasn't won 10 of their last 12 away games.

The predicted score is a 1-1 draw. Both teams have solid defenses and lack scoring power. Alavés will score first at home, but Real Sociedad will score the equalizer in the second half, that's the scenario.

In the last match, Alavés won 1-0, but Real Sociedad dominated the game. It seems like it will be similar this time. Real Sociedad will have more possession, but will lack decisiveness.

Both teams have many injuries. Alavés is missing their starting goalkeeper and defender, and Real Sociedad's attack is weakened. This also increases the possibility of a low-scoring draw.

It's a clash between teams in the bottom half of the table, so it will be really intense. Both teams desperately need points, but a draw might be better than losing.