Alaves bring 10 points and an unbeaten start to Santander

Racing Santander host Alaves today at 12:00 UTC at Estadio El Sardinero, with six points separating the teams after four rounds. Alaves sit second on 10 points, while Racing are 13th on four, making this a direct test of the early table gap.

What's at stake

Racing can reduce Alaves’ six-point advantage to three with a win, while a defeat would stretch the gap to nine. Alaves are also two points behind league leaders Barcelona, whereas Racing trail the leaders by eight, so the result carries different table pressure for each team.

The numbers

Racing’s home record is 1W 1D 0L, with five goals scored and four conceded, although they have kept no clean sheets at Estadio El Sardinero. Alaves have drawn their only away match 1-1, with one goal scored and one conceded, and their recent form reads Win, Draw, Win, Win compared with Racing’s Draw, Loss, Win, Loss.

One to watch

L. Boyé leads the scoring chart among the two squads with four goals in three appearances for Alaves. M. Díaz adds three goals and three assists in four appearances, while Racing’s M. Zabiri has scored three goals in four games, giving the home side a clear attacking reference of their own.

Why it matters

Alaves can protect their unbeaten start and maintain their position near Barcelona with another positive result, while Racing need points to prevent the early six-point gap from widening. Team availability adds another layer: Racing list S. Eriksson with a shoulder injury and A. Martin with a knee injury, while Alaves list F. Garces as suspended and M. Rodriguez with an ankle injury.