5 bold La Liga predictions: Barcelona to compound Real Madrid's misery in El Clasico

5 bold La Liga predictions: Barcelona to compound Real Madrid’s misery in El Clasico

SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Antonio Mohamed of RC Celta de Vigo reacts during the La Liga match between Sevilla FC and RC Celta de Vigo at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on October 7, 2018 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images) /

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VITORIA GASTEIZ, SPAIN – OCTOBER 6: Jaime Latre referee, Ruben Sobrino of Deportivo Alaves, Manu Garcia of Deportivo Alaves, Jony of Deportivo Alaves, Darko Brasanac of Deportivo Alaves, Jonathan Calleri of Deportivo Alaves during the La Liga Santander match between Deportivo Alaves v Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 6, 2018 in Vitoria Gasteiz Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

4. Alaves maintain form with Villarreal victory

Alaves, the early surprise of the season, don’t appear to show any signs of slowing down just yet, having brushed aside Celta Vigo in matchday nine to briefly go top of the table. Next up are a Villarreal side that are really struggling down in 16th place with just two wins in the league.

Alaves’ success is built on a solid defensive platform that allows them to grind out results; Betis and Rayo Vallecano are the only two teams they have scored more than one goal against. Unsurprisingly, teams that have scored more than once against them have come away with a win as they can’t match that attacking intent.

Villarreal are adept at keeping sides out as they have conceded the joint-fourth lowest amount of goals along with Alaves, Valencia and Getafe. This is due to a rigid 4-4-2 system that they have utilized until recently, but that comes at the expense of creativity and limits the technically gifted side that they have, with midfielders such as Pablo Fornals and Santi Cazorla. Javier Calleja used a 4-2-3-1 set-up against Atletico Madrid that earned them a draw and appeared to balance the team.

Seven goals scored is the joint second worst in the division, though, and they still have issues in front of goal. Alaves are likely to be less ambitious than Atletico and concede fewer chances. Villarreal are underperforming significantly in front of goal. They have an xG of 13.02, per Understat, but this isn’t the game in which they rectify that.

Alaves are overperforming defensively and offensively, but they contrast with Villarreal because they have confidence in Abelardo’s methods due to being third in the league so they can continue their strong start.

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