Preview: Huesca vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

Huesca 's search for their first La Liga victory of the season will continue on Saturday evening when they welcome Alaves to Estadio El Alcoraz.

The hosts are currently bottom of La Liga with just eight points to show from their 12 matches this term, while Alaves occupy 12th position in the table, having made an encouraging start to the season.

Match preview

© Reuters

Huesca have only lost four of their 12 league matches this season, which is far from disastrous, but they are the only side in La Liga still searching for their first victory of the 2020-21 campaign.

The fact that Michel 's side have picked up points against eight of the 12 teams that they have faced this term is certainly a positive, but the promoted club will want to put a win on the board as soon as possible.

Huesca were actually incredibly close to picking up a victory away to Granada last weekend, only to concede twice in the final two minutes of the contest as they threw away a 3-1 advantage to draw 3-3.

The reigning Segunda Division champions have lost just one of their last four in the league, while they held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw on home soil at the end of September.

© Reuters

Alaves, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last six league matches, picking up two wins in the process, including a standout 2-1 victory away to Real Madrid at the end of November.

The Basque club also held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw on October 31, while they shared the points with high-flying Real Sociedad last time out and have proved very difficult to beat in recent weeks.

A record of three wins, five draws and four defeats from 12 matches has seen Pablo Machin 's side collect 14 points, which has left them in 12th position in the table ahead of the next set of matches.

Alaves are actually only two points behind sixth-placed Sevilla and have demonstrated this season that they are capable of mixing it with the best sides in the division.

El Glorioso, who finished 16th in La Liga last season, recorded a 3-1 victory over Huesca when they last visited Estadio El Alcoraz during the 2018-19 campaign and are currently on a five-game winning run against their opponents this weekend.

Huesca La Liga form: LLDDLD

Alaves La Liga form: WDDDWD

Team News

© Reuters

Antonio Valera is expected to shake off an injury for Huesca this weekend, meaning that the home side could have a full complement of players available for the contest.

Head coach Michel has plenty of decisions to make in terms of his starting XI, and there could be a spot in the side for Shinji Okazaki, who came off the bench to score against Granada last weekend.

Javi Ontiveros and Juan Carlos are also pushing for positions in the side, although Sandro Ramirez, David Ferreiro and Borja Garcia should keep their spots in forward areas.

As for Alaves, Pere Pons remains on the sidelines through injury, while Rodrigo Battaglia is suspended due to the straight red card that he picked up in the goalless draw with Sociedad last time out.

Florian Lejeune is also banned due to the booking that he received against Sociedad, meaning that Rodrigo Ely should come into the back four.

Former Premier League strikers Joselu and Lucas Perez will keep their places in the final third of the field, while Edgar Mendez is expected to come into the XI as Battaglia's replacement.

Huesca possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Maffeo, Pulido, Siovas, Galan; Ferreiro, Mosquera, Rico, B Garcia; Okazaki, Sandro

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Pacheco; Navarro, Ely, Laguardia, Duarte; Jota, Pina, Mendez, Rioja; Perez, Joselu

We say: Huesca 1-2 Alaves

Huesca, despite their problems, have proved difficult to beat this season, but we are finding it tough to back against Alaves, who have picked up some excellent results in recent weeks. Machin's side will be keen to make it successive away wins in La Liga, and we fancy the Basque side to pick up all three points.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.