Barcelona’s injury-hit leaders face a stubborn Alaves test

Leaders under pressure

Barcelona’s grip on top spot meets a significant squad test against Alaves, with injuries threatening to complicate a fixture that carries weight in La Liga’s early-season race. The Catalans have 27 points from 10 matches and a goal difference of 29; seventh-placed Alaves have 12 points.

The scale of Barcelona’s attacking output is striking: they have scored 40 goals in 10 league games, including 18 at home. But their injury list is long, and Alaves can draw confidence from a 1-0 win over Barcelona in May.

Barcelona’s goals against Alaves’ slide

Barcelona have won four of their last five matches, scoring 19 goals in that run. Their league record stands at nine wins and one defeat, while their last outing in the five-game form sequence was a loss.

Alaves, by contrast, have scored only three times across their last five matches and have taken no league wins away from home this season. Their overall record is three wins, three draws and four defeats, with their recent form sequence ending in a loss.

A recent upset in the fixture

Alaves won the latest meeting 1-0 in May, but Barcelona had prevailed in three of the four previous encounters listed, including a 3-1 home victory last November. That recent defeat is a reminder that the hosts cannot take the matchup for granted, even with a substantial advantage in current form.

Barcelona’s absences mount

Barcelona will be without R. Bardghji, A. Christensen, X. Espart and D. Olmo, while E. Garcia and J. Kounde are questionable. The missing quartet includes players listed with knee, muscle, ankle and groin injuries, leaving coach options limited if either doubtful player is unavailable.

Alaves are also short two players: F. Garces is suspended and M. Rodriguez is out with an ankle injury. Barcelona’s larger list is the central concern, especially with a demanding schedule implied by their strong scoring run and their place at the summit.

Goals and defensive duties

Barcelona’s 40 league goals make their attacking threat clear, but Alaves have conceded 11 in 10 matches and could be tested repeatedly at the Spotify Camp Nou. The visitors’ own attack has been quiet, with just 14 goals across the campaign and only three in their last five.

Our prediction

Barcelona’s injuries could blunt their depth, but their home scoring record and Alaves’ recent difficulty finding goals still tilt the contest toward the leaders. PreviaXI’s model favours a home win, with Barcelona’s greater attacking threat pointing to a controlled victory.

Barcelona 2-0 Alaves