Barcelona, having started the season unbeaten in their first 13 matches across all competitions (W10, D3), find themselves at a crossroads after losing two of their last three, including a disappointing defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek. With only nine goals scored in their last eight fixtures and a lack of firepower evident, the Blaugrana face a critical juncture as they aim to rediscover their winning ways.
Xavi’s men suffered a setback in the season’s first El Clásico, squandering a lead and putting them in danger of losing consecutive home league games for the first time since April 2022. However, there is cause for optimism, considering their impressive home form before the El Clásico defeat. Barcelona had won each of their prior seven home matches, conceding just three times during that run.
Facing Deportivo Alavés could present an opportunity for Barcelona to bounce back, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 top-flight head-to-head encounters (W9, D2), marking their longest such run against Alavés in the competition. However, Luis García’s men, currently five points above the relegation zone, are eager to break this streak and secure back-to-back top-flight wins for the first time since October 2021 after a 1-0 victory against Almería last weekend.
Alavés’ struggles away from home are evident, having failed to win any of their six away fixtures in La Liga (D2, L4). Conceding first in five of those matches, they face a daunting task against Barcelona, especially considering their recent record of conceding first in each of their last four away league encounters against the Blaugrana.
As the teams prepare to clash, keep an eye on João Félix for Barcelona, currently enduring a five-game goal drought but with a favorable history against Alavés, having directly contributed to three goals in his last two personal encounters (G2, A1). On the other side, Ander Guevara, who scored Alavés’ last away league goal, faces a tough challenge, having lost his last four personal league head-to-heads, including two by a 1-0 scoreline.
A notable statistic is the prevalence of 1-0 scorelines in Barcelona’s recent matches, with five of their last eight games ending with that result. The same scoreline decided the most recent head-to-head encounter, adding an intriguing dimension to the upcoming clash. Barcelona seeks to overcome their recent struggles, while Alavés aims to make a statement by breaking the historical H2H deadlock. The stage is set for an intriguing battle at Camp Nou.
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