Deportivo Alaves aim to get back to winning ways this Friday when they host bottom-placed Malaga at the Estadio Mendizorrotza. The Vitoria-based side, seventh in the table with 11 points, arrive on the back of two consecutive defeats and need three points to stay in the hunt for European qualification.
The team managed by Luis García Plaza has not lost at home to Malaga since 2016, a historical statistic that provides confidence. However, their recent form shows a record of zero wins, one draw and four losses in their last five league matches. The most recent was a 2-1 defeat at Celta Vigo, with a late goal from Hugo Novoa.
Context for both teams
Alaves occupy seventh place, but their recent performance has been inconsistent. Striker Boyé, the team's top scorer with five goals in eight appearances, will be a key figure in breaking the poor run. The team has a positive goal difference (13 for, 10 against), but the defensive solidity shown early in the season has cracked in recent matchdays.
Meanwhile, Malaga, sitting last with just four points, have not won in their last five outings. Their defence, the most porous in the division, conceded five goals against Real Sociedad last time out. The trip to Vitoria represents a huge challenge for a team fighting to avoid relegation.
The match, corresponding to the tenth round of La Liga, will be played on Friday 23 October at 21:00 local time. Alaves's starting lineup is likely to see changes after the recent losses, with the injury absence of Mariano Díaz a significant issue to address.
