Barcelona continue trudging through the ill-fated 2023/24 campaign as they visit Alaves in La Liga play on Saturday.
With Xavi’s time at the club now capped at the end of the season, the Blaugrana are just hoping to secure Champions League qualification by finishing amongst the league’s top four. They currently sit on the precipice, residing in fourth, level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and five clear of Athletic Club in fifth.
As Girona and Real Madrid pull away from the pack in the title race, and they find themselves out of the Copa del Rey, it leaves Barcelona with little to play for domestically. The Champions League knockout stage looms in a few weeks, but for now, all that remains for Barcelona in their home country is saving face.
Alaves sit 11th in the league standings, in good form having won each of their last three league games. They represent this season’s epitome of mid-table, equal distance from the European places as they are from the relegation battle, a 10-point gap in either direction.
USA: Click here to see the latest odds for Barcelona vs Alaves and bet La Liga matches
Barcelona vs Alaves prediction, odds
Moneyline lean: Barcelona (-125)
Score prediction: Alaves 0-2 Barcelona
While Barcelona are in a poor run of form, they remain a top side in La Liga and can still grind themselves to victory. The club’s youth has carried them in recent weeks, including last time out as new 18-year-old striker Vitor Roque came off the bench and scored a minute later.
Between the arrival of Roque, the emergence of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and fellow La Masia graduate Fermin Lopez, the stonewall presence of Pedri in midfield, and leadership of Ronald Araujo, this Barcelona side has a promising future if they can sort out the financial struggles and build a roster with fewer gaping holes.
DraftKings
(USA)
Alaves win
+320
Draw
+255
Barcelona win
-125
Both teams
to score Y/N
-135 / +110
Over / Under
2.5 goals
-120 / -115
Barcelona
-0.5 goals
-120
Alaves
+0.5 goals
+105
Barcelona vs Alaves match facts
Date: Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024
Kickoff time: 6.30 p.m. local (12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT)
Location: Estadio de Mendizorroza (Araba, Spain)
Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera VAR: Mario Melero Lopez
Last meeting: Barcelona 2-1 Alaves (Nov. 12, 2023 | La Liga)
Barcelona vs Alaves best bet
Pick: 27+ total match shots
Odds: +110 (FanDuel)
While it’s hard to know if these two teams will hit the back of the net, it’s pretty clear they will try — often. Barcelona and Alaves are two of the worst finishing teams in La Liga, but they both create chances in good amounts.
Barcelona lead La Liga in both shots and expected goals by a significant margin, but are significantly underperforming in front of goal, with 44 goals on 52.72 xG, sporting an awful -8.72 differential. Only two teams have a worse finishing record, and Alaves is one of them, with a -9.42 differential that ranks dead last in the Spanish top flight.
Regardless, Barcelona have ripped off 369 shots this season while Alaves have 280. The reverse fixture saw just 19 combined shots, but that was largely down to Alaves scoring in the first minute and immediately bunkering to protect that advantage, failing to do so as Robert Lewandowski struck twice in the second half. Alaves are a more confident team now, knowing Barcelona can be broken down, and there should be chances for both sides — whether anyone can finish them remains a mystery.
Barcelona vs Alaves prop bet
Pick: Lamine Yamal to score or assist a goal
Odds: +150 (FanDuel)
The young La Masia academy graduate is beginning to find his footing at Barcelona, and while the overall narrative around the crumbling season is toxic, Yamal remains a bright spot in the club’s otherwise sordid season.
With 11 shots worth 1.12 xG over his last three league games, Yamal’s +350 odds to score a goal are enticing, but his abilities in the creative department are worth enough to force a hedge on both goal contributions here. Yamal is third in La Liga for completed dribbles per minute, and his crossing accuracy ranks amongst the league leaders as well. The 16-year-old has an incredibly bright future ahead, especially if Barcelona can provide him with better finishers at the end of his opportunities.
Barcelona vs Alaves live stream, TV channel
TV channel
Streaming
USA
ESPN Deportes
Fubo USA, ESPN+, WatchESPN
Canada
TSN5
Fubo Canada, TSN+
UK
Viaplay Sports 1
LaLigaTV
The entirety of the 2023/24 La Liga campaign is streamed in the United States exclusively on ESPN+. Additionally, this particular match has been selected for airtime on ESPN Deportes in Spanish, which is available on Fubo, as well as WatchESPN for those with a valid cable subscription.
TSN has the broadcast rights to La Liga games in Canada. Like in the United States, every match will stream on TSN+ while this match has been selected for television broadcast on TSN5, which is available on Fubo Canada. In the UK, the match will air on Viaplay Sports 1, with streaming available on LaLigaTV.
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