Alavés vs Valencia

The La Liga match between Deportivo Alavés and Valencia CF will be played at the Estadio de Mendizorroza in Vitoria-Gasteiz on Monday, October 20, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 local time. The fixture marks Matchday 9 of the Spanish top flight and is expected to draw a lively home crowd as Alavés aim to continue their strong performances at home. Valencia travel north under mounting pressure to regain form and stability after a mixed start to the season.

In terms of team news, Alavés come into the match with almost a fully fit squad. The only confirmed absentee is Facundo Garcés, who remains suspended under a FIFA ruling. The rest of the squad, including key players like Toni Martínez and Mariano Díaz, are available for selection, offering head coach Eduardo Coudet several tactical options. Valencia, meanwhile, are dealing with more injury concerns. Mouctar Diakhaby and Largie Ramazani are ruled out, while Filip Ugrinic remains doubtful due to a knee issue. With several defensive players uncertain to feature, manager Carlos Corberán may be forced to reshuffle his back line and rely on younger substitutes from the bench.

Eduardo Coudet is expected to set up Alavés in a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing compact defensive organization and quick transitions down the wings. The team’s strategy will likely revolve around controlling the tempo at home, pressing high when possible, and exploiting spaces behind Valencia’s fullbacks. Carlos Corberán, on the other hand, is likely to adopt a more conservative approach with Valencia, possibly maintaining a 4-4-2 structure. Given the team’s injuries and away struggles, Corberán may prioritize defensive solidity and look to hit Alavés on the counterattack through the pace of Arnaut Danjuma and the positioning of Hugo Duro.

Spanish media have highlighted the pressure building on Valencia after a series of inconsistent results. Several outlets have noted the club’s poor record away from home and their ongoing struggles to score against defensively disciplined sides like Alavés. The press in Vitoria, however, has focused on Alavés’s strong home form and their unbeaten run at Mendizorroza this season, suggesting that they have a clear psychological advantage heading into the game. Analysts also point out that set pieces could be decisive, as Valencia have been vulnerable in defending dead-ball situations.

Studio pundits and matchday analysts have generally predicted a cautious, low-scoring contest. They agree that Alavés’s disciplined defensive structure and home momentum make them slight favorites, while Valencia’s depleted defense and reliance on counterattacks could leave them exposed if they push too far forward. Analysts have also emphasized the tactical duel between Coudet and Corberán, noting that both managers prefer structure and patience over chaos. Overall, expectations are for a tight encounter that could hinge on one decisive moment — a defensive mistake, a well-taken set piece, or a burst of creativity from a key forward.

Watch and Download Alavés vs Valencia full match replay and highlights, At Monday, October 20, 2025. The match played at Estadio de Mendizorroza, in LaLiga, Spain.

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