Alaves vs Villarreal Prediction 28 August 2026
🔊 Alavés have made a confident start to the new La Liga season. After thrashing Getafe, they picked up a point at Vallecas and go into the third round of the Spanish top flight unbeaten. Villarreal have drawn both of their opening matches, with goals in each. It is already clear that both sides are more inclined to attack than to sit back, which means the match at the Estadio de Mendizorroza could be an open one.
Head-to-Head
📊 The head-to-head record is remarkably even: across 32 meetings, Alavés have won 15, Villarreal 13, with four draws. Both sides tend to score regularly, and the average sits at around three goals per game. Last season's two fixtures ended 3-1 to the Yellow Submarine and 1-1, with chances created at both ends in each match.
Head-to-head statistics Alaves - Villarreal
Deportivo Alaves Team Overview
The team have made a strong start to the season and look more impressive than many expected before it began. In last season's La Liga, Alavés scored in 74% of their matches, and they have carried that into the new campaign with four goals in their opening two games. Rather than focusing on keeping the ball, they look to move it quickly into the final third and create pressure down the flanks.
Mariano Díaz has been particularly noticeable. The striker has finally found regular playing time and is already the main attacking outlet - four goal contributions in two matches. At home, Alavés tend to be bolder, and they will not be looking to simply hand the initiative to the opposition.
Match Results: Deportivo Alaves
Villarreal Team Overview
Villarreal are yet to pick up a win, though their attack has looked convincing. They scored four goals in their opening two matches, with Nicolas Pépé and Georges Mikautadze regularly causing problems in the final third. The defence, however, has been less reassuring - the Yellow Submarine have conceded four goals and have been leaving space in behind for opponents to exploit.
Manager Iñigo Pérez only joined the club in early June, so the team is still in the process of rebuilding. It is no surprise, then, that the attack looks bright while the balance between the two ends of the pitch has yet to be found.
Match Results: Villarreal
Latest news
Deportivo Alaves
⛔️ The hosts' main absentee is defender Facundo Garcés, who is suspended for this match.
Villarreal
✅ The visitors have no injury or suspension concerns, so they should be able to play their usual attacking game.
⚽️ Goals Prediction
There is plenty here to suggest goals at both ends and a high-scoring match. Last season Alavés scored in 28 of their 38 La Liga matches, while Villarreal found the net even more often - in 30. Both sides have also started the new campaign brightly, with four goals each. Going forward, both look more convincing than they do defensively, which makes an open game the most logical outcome. Our pick: Total Goals - Over 2.5 at 1.82*.
🚩 Corners Prediction
The overall corners total looks like a tricky market here. In the last four head-to-head meetings, neither side has managed more than nine corners combined. More interesting is the individual data for the hosts. Last season Alavés averaged 5.05 corners per game, and in the new campaign that figure has climbed noticeably - to around six per match. Villarreal, meanwhile, have been conceding 4.89 corners per game to opponents in 2025/26. Our bet: Alavés Team Total Corners - Over 4.5 at 1.59*.
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
The head-to-head history looks relatively calm, but the current numbers point in a different direction. Last season Alavés averaged 2.26 yellow cards per game and Villarreal 2.03 - enough on its own to expect at least four bookings between them. On top of that, the most recent meeting between these two produced five yellows, four of which went to the home side. That makes Alavés Team Total Yellow Cards - Over 1.5 the logical play here.
🚀 Player Stats Bet
The standout performer for the hosts at the start of this season has been Mariano Díaz. The striker has two goals and two assists to his name and has been the primary target inside the opposition box. Crucially, he is getting chances on a regular basis rather than relying on a single fortunate moment. Given Villarreal's defensive problems, Alavés are likely to look for him as their main route to goal. Our pick: Mariano Díaz to Score or Assist.
😱 Risky Bet
Looking at how the season has started, a draw feels more logical than a straightforward win for either side. Villarreal have already drawn twice, and the hosts look organised enough not to be beaten without a fight. Both teams have also shown they can respond when they concede. The bet: a risky accumulator on Draw and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 5.90*.
🎯 Safe Bet
Alavés have scored four goals in their first two matches of the new season and already put three past Getafe at home. Villarreal, meanwhile, have looked far from solid defensively - four goals conceded says as much. At least one goal for the hosts looks a very likely outcome. Safe bet: Alavés to Score at 1.30*.
👀 If the Match Goes Another Way
The main prediction is built around goals at both ends and a fairly open game. But there is another scenario worth considering. Alavés are unbeaten in their last three home matches and look comfortable at the Estadio de Mendizorroza. If they score first, it will be Villarreal who are forced to open up and take risks. In that case, the hosts could go on to win comfortably. Our alternative pick would be Alavés to Win, priced at 3.00* in the pre-match market.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers.
⭐️ Editor's Pick
Both sides have made a positive impression at the start of the season. Alavés look more organised than expected and are regularly creating chances in the final third. Villarreal have the brighter attack but have yet to sort out their defensive issues. Last season's statistics also point towards a high-scoring game. The most logical scenario is one where both teams score and neither side shuts up shop after the first goal. Predicted correct score: 2-2. Main bet: Both Teams to Score - Yes.
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Betting Tips: Deportivo Alaves - Villarreal
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Comparison of Teams Stats
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