Four Points and a Perfect Home Record Put Alaves in Front

Alaves carry unbeaten start into home meeting with Villarreal

Alaves welcome Villarreal to Estadio Mendizorrotza on Friday, August 28, with the early La Liga table giving the hosts the clearer platform. After two rounds, Alaves sit fourth on four points, while Villarreal are ninth with two. Real Madrid lead on six points, meaning Alaves can remain close to the summit with another positive result, while Villarreal are looking for their first win of the campaign.

Contrasting momentum

Alaves have opened the season with a win and a draw, listed in most-recent-first order, and their home record is perfect so far: one win from one match. They have scored three goals at home without conceding, registering one clean sheet. That combination gives them a strong base at Mendizorrotza and should encourage a confident approach.

Villarreal have drawn both of their opening games. Their away record also reads two draws from two, with four goals scored and four conceded. The visitors have shown an ability to find the net on the road, averaging 2.00 goals per away game, but their identical defensive average and absence of an away clean sheet underline the opportunity available to Alaves.

Formation focus

Alaves have used both a 3-5-2 and a 5-3-2 once this season. That gives them two closely related shapes, with the possibility of adjusting the balance between defensive security and attacking width during the match. Villarreal have used a 4-4-2 in both fixtures, offering a more consistent structural reference for the visitors.

The tactical question will be whether Alaves can use their three- or five-player defensive structure to control Villarreal’s two-forward setup while creating enough pressure from midfield and the wider areas. Villarreal, meanwhile, will want their established 4-4-2 to exploit spaces when Alaves commit players forward. The hosts’ clean home record and Villarreal’s productive but vulnerable away profile make that exchange particularly important.

Goal threats and team news

M. Díaz is Alaves’ standout attacking contributor, with two goals and two assists in two appearances. His involvement gives the hosts a direct source of both finishing and creation. Villarreal’s leading named threat is N. Pépé, who has scored once in two appearances. With the visitors averaging two away goals, Pépé’s finishing could be central to turning another draw into a first victory.

Alaves will be without F. Garces, who is suspended. The absence removes an option from the hosts’ matchday plans and may make their choice between the 3-5-2 and 5-3-2 more significant. No unavailable Villarreal player is listed in the available team news.

Prediction

Alaves 2-1 Villarreal. Alaves’ stronger position, unbeaten form and flawless home defensive record give them the edge, although Villarreal’s away scoring numbers should keep the contest close.