Deportivo Alavés vs Girona Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Monday, 23 February

Deportivo Alavés will host Girona in a LaLiga clash on Monday, 23 February. The match will be played at the Estadio Mendizorroza, renowned for its vibrant atmosphere. Both teams are eager to secure crucial points as they navigate the challenges of the league. Deportivo Alavés, playing at home, will look to use their familiarity with the venue to gain an advantage over Girona.

Girona, meanwhile, will aim to disrupt Alavés’ plans and claim victory away from home. This match is significant for both sides as they strive to improve their standings in the competitive LaLiga. With each team possessing unique strengths, this encounter promises to be an intriguing battle. These betting tips will break down the potential outcomes and key factors to consider for this exciting fixture.

Deportivo Alavés vs Girona Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Draw	2.96

Both Deportivo Alavés and Girona have had relatively balanced seasons, with neither side displaying overwhelming strengths or weaknesses. Given their similar performances, our recommended betting tip is a draw.

• Deportivo Alavés have scored in 75% of their home matches, indicating they can compete but not necessarily dominate.
• Girona’s ability to score most of their goals in the final 15 minutes shows they fight until the end, making a draw plausible.
• Both teams have average defensive records, with Alavés conceding 1.3 goals per match and Girona conceding 1.6, suggesting a balanced game.

Betting Odds

In this LaLiga clash, Deportivo Alavés are priced as slight favourites at odds of 2.33, while Girona are considered underdogs at 3.4. The draw is also an appealing option at 2.96, reflecting the closely contested nature of this matchup.

Betting Tip	Odds
Deportivo Alavés to win	2.33
Draw	2.96
Girona to win	3.4

For those looking to place a bet, consider the over 2.5 goals market, as both teams have shown a tendency to be involved in high-scoring games. The odds suggest a tightly contested affair, so punters might find value in betting on both teams to score.

Deportivo Alavés Analysis & Past Performance

Deportivo Alavés currently sit 15th in LaLiga, having accumulated 26 points so far this season. Their recent form has been mixed, with two wins, one draw, and two defeats in their last five league matches. This inconsistency is mirrored in their home performances, where they have recorded two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five games at Estadio Mendizorroza.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Sevilla	Deportivo Alavés	1 – 1 (Draw)	LaLiga	14 Feb 2026
Deportivo Alavés	Getafe	0 – 2 (Loss)	LaLiga	8 Feb 2026
Deportivo Alavés	Real Sociedad	2 – 3 (Loss)	Copa del Rey	4 Feb 2026
Espanyol	Deportivo Alavés	1 – 2 (Win)	LaLiga	30 Jan 2026
Deportivo Alavés	Real Betis	2 – 1 (Win)	LaLiga	25 Jan 2026

Recent Form:

• DLLWW

Offensively, Deportivo Alavés have averaged 1.40 goals per game in their last five fixtures, showing moderate attacking threat led by top scorer Antonio Martínez, who has netted five times this season. However, their defence remains a concern, conceding an average of 1.60 goals per match over the same period, with no recent clean sheets. Both teams have scored in 80% of their recent games, indicating a lack of defensive solidity that may hinder their climb up the league table.

Deportivo Alavés Suspensions & Injuries

Deportivo Alavés face a few injury challenges ahead of their clash with Girona. Notably, Ville Koski and Carlos Benavídez are sidelined with a meniscus and muscle injury, respectively, with both expected to return in early March 2026. This leaves gaps in their squad depth, particularly in midfield, where Benavídez’s absence could be significant. Ibrahim Diabaté’s status remains uncertain due to physical discomfort, making his involvement doubtful.

The absence of Ville Koski, a potential starter, may require tactical adjustments from coach Eduardo Coudet. With Koski unavailable, the team may rely on their current midfield quartet of Calebe, Antonio Blanco, Denis Suárez, and Carles Aleñá to maintain stability. Bench depth will be crucial, especially if Diabaté remains unavailable.

With no suspensions to contend with, Deportivo Alavés can focus on compensating for these injuries through strategic lineup decisions. The starting XI remains largely unaffected, allowing Coudet to continue with a familiar 4-4-2 formation. However, the lack of rotation options could impact their ability to adapt during the match, especially in response to Girona’s tactics.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Ville Koski	Meniscus injury	Early March 2026
Carlos Benavídez	Muscle strain	Early March 2026
Ibrahim Diabaté	Fitness issue	Doubtful

Deportivo Alavés Key Players

Deportivo Alavés will rely heavily on their top scorer Antonio Martínez, who has netted five goals this season, to lead their attacking efforts against Girona. Martínez’s precision in front of goal and his ability to exploit defensive weaknesses make him a pivotal figure in the lineup. His partnership with Lucas Boyé upfront is expected to test Girona’s defensive resilience, offering a blend of technical skill and physical presence.

Midfield dynamo Denis Suárez is another key player, orchestrating play with his vision and passing accuracy. His ability to link defence and attack will be crucial for efficient transitions. Defensively, Jon Pacheco’s solid presence at the back, alongside Youssef Enríquez, will be vital in thwarting opposition advances and maintaining a strong defensive line.

Expected lineup for Deportivo Alavés:

• Goalkeeper: Antonio Sivera
• Defenders: Nahuel Tenaglia, Jon Pacheco, Youssef Enríquez, Facundo Garcés
• Midfielders: Calebe, Antonio Blanco, Denis Suárez, Carles Aleñá
• Forwards: Antonio Martínez, Lucas Boyé

Deportivo Alavés Tactics and Formation

Deportivo Alavés Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Antonio Martínez
• Midfield Pivot: Antonio Blanco and Denis Suárez
• Defensive Setup: No clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Controlling possession with high midfield engagement.

Deportivo Alavés utilise a 4-4-2 formation, allowing for a balanced approach between attack and defence. The midfield pairing of Antonio Blanco and Denis Suárez is pivotal in controlling the game’s tempo, providing both defensive cover and creative outlets for the forwards.

Defensively, the back four of Nahuel Tenaglia, Jon Pacheco, Youssef Enríquez, and Facundo Garcés have been solid, but the lack of clean sheets in recent matches exposes potential vulnerabilities, particularly against quick counterattacks.

Offensively, the team relies heavily on the striking partnership of Antonio Martínez and Lucas Boyé. Martínez, as the top scorer, is crucial in converting possession into goals. Alavés’s strategy often revolves around high possession play, leveraging the midfield’s ability to disrupt the opposition and transition quickly into attack.

Girona Analysis & Past Performance

Girona’s recent form has been moderately positive, with two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five matches. Their recent victory against Barcelona (2-1) demonstrated their ability to compete against top-tier teams, showcasing a resilient defensive performance despite having only 30% possession and facing 27 shots.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Girona	Barcelona	2 – 1 (Win)	LaLiga	16 Feb 2026
Sevilla	Girona	1 – 1 (Draw)	LaLiga	8 Feb 2026
Real Oviedo	Girona	1 – 0 (Loss)	LaLiga	31 Jan 2026
Girona	Getafe	1 – 1 (Draw)	LaLiga	26 Jan 2026
Espanyol	Girona	0 – 2 (Win)	LaLiga	16 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Girona’s attack has averaged 1.20 goals per game over their last five matches, while their defence has conceded 0.80 goals per game, keeping one clean sheet in this period. However, they have allowed goals in four out of five games, indicating some defensive vulnerabilities. Away from home, Girona have shown stronger form, winning three of their last five away fixtures and maintaining a win ratio of 60%.

Overall, Girona are 12th in the league with 29 points from 24 matches. Their season reflects a mid-lower table status, with a win ratio of 29%. The team averages 1.00 goals scored and 1.58 goals conceded per game this season, highlighting the need for improved defensive solidity to climb the standings. Vladyslav Vanat has been a key attacking asset, leading the team with seven goals.

• WDLDW

Girona Suspensions & Injuries

Girona face significant challenges with several key players sidelined due to injury. Ricard Artero’s broken ankle and Portu’s season-ending cruciate ligament injury severely impact the team’s depth and attacking options. Meanwhile, Juan Carlos and Álex Moreno are expected to return in early March, but their current absence weakens Girona’s defensive and goalkeeping rotations. Marc-André ter Stegen’s hamstring injury is likely to keep him out until April. Donny van de Beek’s extended recovery from a cruciate ligament injury until late April further adds to midfield concerns.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Ricard Artero	Broken ankle	Unknown
Juan Carlos	Cruciate ligament injury	Early March 2026
Donny van de Beek	Cruciate ligament injury	Late April 2026
Portu	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Marc-André ter Stegen	Hamstring Injury	Early April 2026
Álex Moreno	Calf Injury	Early March 2026

Suspensions also affect Girona’s lineup, with Joel Roca Casals missing the match due to a red card suspension. His absence necessitates tactical changes, potentially affecting Girona’s attacking flexibility as they seek to maintain their competitive edge.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Joel Roca Casals	Red card	1	Unknown

To compensate for these absences, Girona will likely rely on the versatility of players like Viktor Tsyhankov and Thomas Lemar to bolster their attacking threat. Tactical adjustments may involve a more conservative approach, emphasising solid defensive play to counterbalance the unavailable key players. These strategic changes are crucial as Girona aim to adapt and remain competitive, potentially influencing betting markets as they adjust to these squad limitations.

Girona Key Players

Vladyslav Vanat stands out as Girona’s top scorer, with seven goals this season. As the focal point of their attack, Vanat’s finishing ability makes him a constant threat to Deportivo Alavés’ defence. His movement and composure are pivotal in creating and converting chances, making him a key player to watch.

Equally influential in midfield is Axel Witsel, whose experience and composure provide stability and creativity. Alongside him, Viktor Tsyhankov and Thomas Lemar bring dynamism and flair, capable of unlocking defences with their passing and dribbling. In defence, Daley Blind’s leadership and tactical awareness are crucial in organising the backline and initiating play from deep.

The tactical impact of these players is significant: Witsel’s control in midfield allows Girona to dictate the tempo, while Vanat’s positioning stretches opposition defences. Furthermore, Blind’s ability to read the game and distribute effectively ensures Girona can transition smoothly between defence and attack.

Their strengths lie in Vanat’s clinical finishing, Witsel’s midfield dominance, and Blind’s defensive acumen, which collectively could shape the match’s outcome.

Expected lineup for Girona:

• Goalkeeper: Paulo Gazzaniga
• Defenders: Hugo Rincón, Vítor Reis, Daley Blind, Arnau Martínez
• Midfielders: Iván Martín, Axel Witsel, Viktor Tsyhankov, Thomas Lemar, Bryan Gil
• Forward: Vladyslav Vanat

Girona Tactics and Formation

Girona Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Vladyslav Vanat
• Midfield Pivot: Iván Martín and Axel Witsel
• Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Focus on counterattacks and exploiting wide areas.

Girona’s 4-2-3-1 formation provides a balanced approach between attack and defence, with Axel Witsel and Iván Martín orchestrating from midfield. This duo is pivotal in transitioning from defence to attack, ensuring a smooth link-up with advanced players like Viktor Tsyhankov and Thomas Lemar.

Defensively, Girona rely on the experience of Daley Blind and the youthful energy of Arnau Martínez and Hugo Rincón in the full-back positions. While they have kept only one clean sheet in their last five matches, the defence has been relatively resilient, managing to limit opponents’ scoring opportunities despite conceding shots.

Offensively, Girona capitalise on quick counterattacks, utilising the pace and skill of Bryan Gil and Viktor Tsyhankov on the wings. Vladyslav Vanat, as the lone striker, is a constant threat in the box, and his seven goals this season highlight his importance in Girona’s attacking setup.

Deportivo Alavés vs Girona Head-to-Head Record

In their head-to-head record, Girona have the upper hand with 10 wins compared to Deportivo Alavés’ 6, alongside 6 draws. The last meeting saw Girona win 1-0 at home in a LaLiga fixture. This result continued Girona’s recent dominance, having won three of the last four league encounters.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Girona	Deportivo Alavés	1 – 0	LaLiga	2025-11-08
Deportivo Alavés	Girona	0 – 1	Club Friendlies	2025-07-30
Girona	Deportivo Alavés	0 – 1	LaLiga	2025-04-05
Deportivo Alavés	Girona	0 – 1	LaLiga	2025-01-11
Deportivo Alavés	Girona	2 – 2	LaLiga	2024-05-10

The last time Deportivo Alavés hosted Girona at Estadio Mendizorroza in LaLiga, they suffered a 0-1 defeat in January 2025. Alavés will be eager to turn the tide at home, where they’ve struggled against Girona recently, managing just one win in their last five home fixtures against them.