La Liga | Gameweek 37

May 18, 2025 at 6pm UK

Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla

Valladolid vs Alaves

Match preview

Real Valladolid are counting down the days until the end of the season after failing to make an impression in La Liga following their promotion from the second tier last term.

The relegated side has won four, drawn four, and lost 28 of its 36 league matches this season, leaving it 16 points adrift of Las Palmas in 19th position.

They have taken just one point from their last 17 La Liga games, having not won since their home clash against Real Betis in January.

Alberto Rubio's team have lost each of their last 10 league matches, including Tuesday's narrow 1-0 home defeat to Girona, following Cristhian Stuani's 80^(th)-minute goal.

As a result of their recent run of defeats, Real Valladolid are now one game away from equalling the longest losing streak in La Liga's history, currently held by Las Palmas, who suffered 11 consecutive defeats in the 1959–60 season.

Although lacking in confidence, Real Valladolid do have the chance to complete a La Liga double over Alavés for only the second time in their history after picking up a 3-2 victory in the reverse fixture in October.

In contrast to their opponents, Alavés are in a strong position to avoid relegation, having lost just one of their last five matches (W2, D2).

They recorded a third consecutive home clean sheet in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Valencia, with Joan Jordan scoring the decisive penalty following the referee's decision to uphold his initial ruling despite being called to review Giorgi Mamardashvili's challenge on Santiago Moreno.

Following the win, Alavés moved four points clear of 18^(th)-placed Leganés, with just two games remaining against Valladolid and Osasuna.

El Glorioso will secure a third consecutive La Liga campaign if they beat Valladolid on Sunday, and they could even do so without winning, depending on how Leganés fare in their away match against relegated Las Palmas.

Eduardo Coudet's team have struggled to win away games, but they have at least avoided defeat in five of their last six (D4, L1), although their only loss in that period came in their most recent away game against Athletic Bilbao.

The visitors can take heart from the fact that they have won four of their last five top-flight away games against Valladolid, including a 2-0 victory at the Estadio José Zorrilla in October 2020.

Recent Performance

Real Valladolid La Liga form:LLLLLL

Alaves La Liga form:LDWDLW

Team News

Valladolid will be without the injured quartet of David Torres, Javi Sánchez, Joseph Aidoo and Stanko Jurić.

Attacker Chuki will miss the final two games of the season after sustaining a muscle injury in the first half of Tuesday's defeat to Girona.

Adam Aznou, Selim Amallah, Tamas Nikitscher, Mamadou Sylla and Sanchez could all feature in Rubio's plans if he decides to make changes for Sunday's match.

Alavés defender Abdel Abqar remains unavailable for selection, having sat out each of the last five matches with a calf problem.

Moussa Diarra may miss a second consecutive game after suffering a broken nose in last Sunday's defeat to Athletic.

Midfielder Jordan is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score the winning penalty in Wednesday's clash with Valencia.

Possible starting lineup

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Hein; Anuar, Parente, Comert, Ozkacar, Aznou; Sanchez, Amallah, Nikitscher, Moro; Latasa

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Tenaglia, Garces, Mourino, Sanchez; Blanco; Vicente, Jordan, Guevera, Alena; Kike