Alaves vs Barcelona: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 13.05.2026
One of the standout fixtures of La Liga's Matchday 36 will take place on Wednesday at Mendizorrotza Stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz, where the local side Alaves host Barcelona. Here’s a betting tip for this clash, with the hosts still fighting for survival while the visitors have already secured the title and can play with no pressure in the standings.
Match preview
Alaves did not fall apart after the coaching change, and under Quique Sanchez Flores have picked up ten points in nine matches - a solid surge for a team in the relegation zone. Still, with three games to go, the Basques remain 18th, one point below safety, so even against the freshly-crowned champions, they can’t simply wait for their opponents to slip up.
The main intrigue for the hosts is the state of their attack and the resilience of their defense. Lucas Boye is out due to injury, Toni Martinez should be available, but at the back Alaves face too many systemic issues: the team hasn’t kept a clean sheet for 20 consecutive La Liga matches, and Flores is forced to deploy full-backs in central defense.
Barcelona arrive as champions: a 2-0 El Clasico win over Real Madrid clinched the title with three games to spare. Hansi Flick’s side have won 11 league matches in a row, but after the title parade and celebratory mood, the question of focus becomes just as important as their starting lineup.
Raphinha is back from injury but will miss the Alaves clash due to suspension, while Lamine Yamal remains sidelined. Still, Flick has plenty of options for targeted rotation: Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, and Christensen could all get valuable minutes, and the squad is motivated by the chance to chase the 100-point and 100-goal marks for the season.
Probable lineups
- Alaves: Sivera, Parada, Tenaglia, Castro, Rebbach, Suarez, Blanco, Ibanez, Perez, Diabate, Martinez.
- Barcelona: Garcia, Kounde, Araujo, Garcia, Balde, de Jong, Pedri, Rashford, Gavi, Lopez, Lewandowski.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Barcelona have won their last six matches against Alaves.
- Alaves have failed to keep a clean sheet in 20 straight La Liga games.
- Barcelona enter the game on an 11-match winning streak in La Liga.
The Basques have scored in the second half of their last seven league matches.
Quique Sanchez Flores’s side have managed just three clean sheets all season (the league’s worst record).
- Barcelona have scored 91 goals this season - the best record in the league, 21 ahead of Real Madrid.
- At least 11 corners have been taken in 6 of the last 8 head-to-heads at Alaves’s ground in La Liga.
Prediction
Alaves will fight for every inch of the pitch because their league position leaves no alternative: just one point away from safety is too close for comfort. But without Boye and with chronic defensive issues, the Basques face a particularly tough challenge - even if Barcelona aren’t at full emotional intensity. The Catalans have already achieved their main objective, but Flick’s team is too well-drilled to suddenly drop their standards just because the title is in the bag. Alaves may nick a goal thanks to their motivation and the pressure of the moment, but the visitors’ class should ultimately prevail.
