Espanyol vs Deportivo Alavés Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Friday, 30 January

Espanyol will face Deportivo Alavés in an intriguing LaLiga clash at the RCDE Stadium on Friday, 30 January. This match promises to be a fascinating encounter as both teams aim to secure crucial points in the league standings. Espanyol, playing at home, will be looking to make the most of their familiarity with the RCDE Stadium to gain an advantage over their visitors.

Deportivo Alavés, on the other hand, will be eager to challenge Espanyol and make their mark in this LaLiga fixture. The stakes are high for both teams as they seek to improve their positions in the league table. With both sides having their own strengths and weaknesses, this match is set to offer plenty of opportunities for bettors looking for insights and potential betting tips.

Espanyol vs Deportivo Alavés Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Espanyol to win	1.96

Espanyol’s recent form and home advantage make them a solid pick for this LaLiga clash against Deportivo Alavés. Our recommended betting tip is to back Espanyol to win in regular time. Espanyol’s attacking momentum and stability at home should give them the upper hand against an Alavés side that struggles to create chances away from home.

• Espanyol’s home advantage and recent form are key factors in their favour.
• Alavés’ difficulty in creating scoring opportunities on the road makes this a safer bet.
• Espanyol have shown they can control the midfield and generate better opportunities.

Betting Odds

Espanyol are stepping onto their home turf as the favourites with betting odds of 1.96, but don’t count out Deportivo Alavés just yet. With odds of 4.36, the visitors could provide a surprise, especially given their knack for upsetting the odds in past encounters.

Betting Tip	Odds
Espanyol to win	1.96
Draw	3.12
Deportivo Alavés to win	4.36

The draw is priced at 3.12, which might tempt those expecting a closely fought battle. For those looking at goal markets, consider the potential for a low-scoring affair, as both teams have shown defensive resilience in recent matches.

Espanyol Analysis & Past Performance

Espanyol currently hold 5th position in LaLiga, amassing 34 points from 21 matches. However, their recent form has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last five fixtures. They have suffered three losses and managed only one draw, reflecting a difficult phase. The team’s recent away victory against Valencia (3-2) offered a glimpse of resilience, though defensive fragility remains a concern, as they have conceded in all recent outings.

Home Side	Away Side	Outcome	League	Date
Valencia	Espanyol	3 – 2 (Defeat)	LaLiga	24 Jan 2026
Espanyol	Girona	0 – 2 (Defeat)	LaLiga	16 Jan 2026
Levante	Espanyol	1 – 1 (Draw)	LaLiga	11 Jan 2026
Espanyol	Barcelona	0 – 2 (Defeat)	LaLiga	3 Jan 2026
Athletic Club	Espanyol	1 – 2 (Victory)	LaLiga	22 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

• LLDLW

Espanyol’s attack has delivered an average of 1.00 goals per game over the last five matches, but their defensive lapses are evident, with an average of 1.80 goals conceded per match. Notably, they have failed to secure any clean sheets recently. At home, Espanyol’s record shows two wins from their last five games, but three losses reveal vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Their home win ratio stands at 40%, indicating room for improvement in front of their supporters. Despite these challenges, key player Pere Milla has been a consistent offensive threat, being the team’s top scorer with six goals this season.

Espanyol Suspensions & Injuries

Espanyol will head into their match against Deportivo Alavés with a relatively full squad, but they will be missing Javi Puado due to a cruciate ligament injury. His absence for the rest of the season is a significant blow, especially considering his potential impact on the wing. Puado’s pace and ability to stretch defences will be sorely missed, forcing coach Manolo González to rely more heavily on alternative options such as Jofre Carreras or potentially reshuffling the midfield setup to compensate.

The injury to Puado could influence Espanyol’s tactical approach, likely necessitating a shift in their attacking strategy. With his ability to link the midfield and attack missing, Espanyol might focus on a more central approach or rely heavily on set-pieces to create scoring opportunities. The 4-4-2 formation might still hold firm, but the dynamic on the flanks will surely see adjustments.

Manolo González will have to be strategic in his squad rotation to mitigate the impact of Puado’s injury over the long term. Given the lack of suspensions, the team can maintain stability in other areas of the pitch, which might provide some consistency in their performance levels.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Javi Puado	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for the season

Espanyol Key Players

Espanyol’s attacking threat is spearheaded by Pere Milla, the top scorer with 6 goals this season. Milla’s knack for finding the net and his ability to exploit defensive weaknesses make him a pivotal figure in their forward line. His partnership with Roberto Fernández up front is expected to challenge Deportivo Alavés’ defence with a blend of pace and clinical finishing.

In midfield, Urko González de Zárate and Pol Lozano are vital for dictating the tempo and providing stability. Their ability to control possession and break up opposition play is crucial. On the defensive end, Leandro Cabrera and Fernando Calero form a solid centre-back pairing, tasked with maintaining a robust defensive line. Cabrera’s aerial prowess and Calero’s tackling ability will be essential in thwarting Alavés’ attacking advances.

Expected lineup for Espanyol:

• Goalkeeper: Marko Dmitrović
• Defence: Rubén Sánchez, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero
• Midfield: Jofre Carreras, Pol Lozano, Urko González de Zárate, Ramon Terrats
• Forward: Roberto Fernández, Pere Milla

Espanyol Tactics and Formation

Espanyol Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Pere Milla
• Midfield Engine: Pol Lozano and Urko González de Zárate
• Defensive Weakness: No clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Utilises wing play for offensive transitions.

Espanyol’s 4-4-2 formation is structured to provide both defensive support and offensive width. The midfield duo of Pol Lozano and Urko González de Zárate is pivotal in controlling the game’s tempo, offering a balance between defensive cover and forward momentum.

Leading the attack, Pere Milla, who is also their top scorer, combines well with Roberto Fernández, using his experience to exploit defensive lapses. The wingers, Jofre Carreras and Ramon Terrats, are tasked with stretching the play and delivering crosses into the box, crucial for breaking down compact defences.

Defensively, Espanyol have struggled to maintain clean sheets, conceding in all of their last five matches. The backline, marshalled by Leandro Cabrera and Fernando Calero, needs to tighten up to prevent unnecessary goals. Their strategy often focuses on exploiting the flanks during offensive transitions, aiming to capitalise on quick counterattacks.

Deportivo Alavés Analysis & Past Performance

Deportivo Alavés have experienced a mixed bag of results recently, reflecting inconsistencies in their performances. In their last five matches, Alavés secured two wins, two losses, and one draw, indicating a moderate recent form. Their most recent outing was a 2-1 victory over Real Betis, showcasing their ability to capitalise on home advantage.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Deportivo Alavés	Real Betis	2 – 1 (Win)	LaLiga	25 Jan 2026
Atlético Madrid	Deportivo Alavés	1 – 0 (Loss)	LaLiga	18 Jan 2026
Deportivo Alavés	Rayo Vallecano	2 – 0 (Win)	Copa del Rey	14 Jan 2026
Villarreal	Deportivo Alavés	3 – 1 (Loss)	LaLiga	10 Jan 2026
Deportivo Alavés	Real Oviedo	1 – 1 (Draw)	LaLiga	4 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Offensively, Deportivo Alavés have averaged 1.20 goals per game in their last five matches, scoring in four out of those fixtures. However, defensively, they have conceded an average of 1.20 goals per game, which highlights a need for greater solidity at the back. Notably, their away form has been a cause for concern, with only one win in their last five away matches and a troubling record of four losses. They have struggled to maintain clean sheets, with only one in their last five games, further pointing to defensive vulnerabilities.

Performance Statistics:

• WLWLD

The key player for Alavés has been Carlos Vicente, who has contributed significantly with five goals this season. Despite their struggles, Alavés remain competitive, often finding the back of the net, as seen in 60% of their recent matches where both teams scored. In their current LaLiga campaign, they sit in 15th position with 22 points, striving for consistency to climb the table.

Deportivo Alavés Suspensions & Injuries

Deportivo Alavés will be without the services of Denis Suárez, who is dealing with a muscle injury and remains doubtful for the upcoming clash against Espanyol. Suárez’s absence could potentially disrupt the midfield dynamics, given his creative influence and ability to link up play. This could force coach Eduardo Coudet to rely more heavily on Carles Aleñá and Antonio Blanco to fill the creative void left by Suárez.

The potential unavailability of Nikola Maraš and Mariano Díaz further compounds Deportivo Alavés’s woes. Maraš’s absence may necessitate a reshuffle in the defensive line, while Díaz’s injury could limit attacking options from the bench, placing additional pressure on frontmen Antonio Martínez and Lucas Boyé to deliver.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Denis Suárez	Muscle strain	Doubtful

With these injuries, Deportivo Alavés might have to adjust their tactical approach, possibly adopting a more conservative setup to compensate for the lack of depth in key areas. This could influence the match outcome, potentially affecting betting markets that rely on Alavés’s ability to field a full-strength squad.

Deportivo Alavés Key Players

Carlos Vicente stands out as Deportivo Alavés’ top scorer, having netted five goals this season. His role in midfield is pivotal, where his ability to transition play and find the back of the net from advanced positions adds a significant threat to their attacking arsenal. His partnership with Antonio Martínez and Lucas Boyé in the forward line promises to be a key component of Alavés’ offensive strategy against Espanyol.

In the midfield, Carles Aleñá’s playmaking capabilities will be crucial. His vision and passing range can unlock defences, providing ample opportunities for the forwards. Antonio Blanco’s presence is equally important, offering defensive solidity and linking play between defence and attack. Defensively, the experience of Jonny Otto at left-back will be vital in organising the backline and supporting counter-attacks.

Expected lineup for Deportivo Alavés:

• Goalkeeper: Antonio Sivera
• Defence: Nahuel Tenaglia, Carlos Protesoni, Jon Pacheco, Jonny Otto
• Midfield: Carlos Vicente, Antonio Blanco, Pablo Ibáñez, Carles Aleñá
• Forward: Antonio Martínez, Lucas Boyé

Deportivo Alavés Tactics and Formation

Deportivo Alavés Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Lucas Boyé
• Midfield Pivot: Antonio Blanco and Pablo Ibáñez
• Defensive Strength: Struggles with clean sheets, conceding in all recent matches
• Notable Strategy: Utilises width and relies on set-pieces for scoring opportunities.

Deportivo Alavés adopt a traditional 4-4-2 formation under coach Eduardo Coudet, which aims to provide balance across the field. The midfield, anchored by Antonio Blanco and Pablo Ibáñez, is crucial for both defensive coverage and initiating attacks. The wide players, Carlos Vicente and Carles Aleñá, are essential in stretching the play and delivering crosses into the box for forwards like Lucas Boyé and Antonio Martínez.

Defensively, the team has faced challenges, failing to secure clean sheets in recent outings. The backline, featuring Nahuel Tenaglia and Jonny Otto as full-backs, needs to tighten up to prevent conceding goals. The central defensive duo of Carlos Protesoni and Jon Pacheco will be pivotal in maintaining a solid defence against Espanyol’s attacks.

Offensively, Alavés often leverage set-pieces as a significant threat, with Carlos Vicente, their top scorer, being instrumental in converting chances. Despite their struggle with clean sheets, their ability to score in most games highlights their offensive potential.

Espanyol vs Deportivo Alavés H2H Record

Espanyol and Deportivo Alavés have faced off 24 times, with Espanyol winning 10 matches, Alavés taking 8, and 6 ending in draws. Their last encounter saw Alavés win 2-1 at home in LaLiga. This rivalry has been quite balanced, with both teams having their moments.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Deportivo Alavés	Espanyol	2 – 1	LaLiga	2025-11-02
Deportivo Alavés	Espanyol	0 – 1	LaLiga	2025-02-22
Espanyol	Deportivo Alavés	3 – 2	LaLiga	2024-09-14
Deportivo Alavés	Espanyol	2 – 1	LaLiga	2022-05-11
Espanyol	Deportivo Alavés	1 – 0	LaLiga	2021-09-22

The last time Espanyol hosted Alavés at the RCDE Stadium, they edged a 3-2 victory in a thrilling LaLiga match in September 2024. Espanyol have generally been strong at home against Alavés, which might give them a slight edge in this upcoming fixture.