The Primera Division serves up a fascinating contrast in styles this weekend as a desperate Girona FC welcomes the disciplined and defensively stout Deportivo Alavés to the Estadi Montilivi. This fixture pits the league’s most porous defence against one of its most organised units. For the hosts, languishing at the foot of the table, anything less than three points feels like a failure as they fight for survival. Alavés, meanwhile, arrive with the quiet confidence of a team comfortably positioned in the top half, built on a foundation of tactical rigidity and resilience. The central question is whether Girona’s desperation at home can finally unlock their attacking potential, or if Alavés’ methodical approach will suffocate the life out of the encounter.
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Current League Standings
A quick glance at the league table paints a vivid picture of the chasm between these two clubs. Girona are rooted to the bottom in 20th place, having secured a paltry 7 points from their opening 11 matches. Their record of just one win, four draws, and six losses is deeply concerning, but it is their defensive frailty that truly stands out. Conceding an alarming 24 goals, they possess the worst defensive record in the entire division.
In stark contrast, Deportivo Alavés sit comfortably in 8th position. With 15 points from 11 games (W4, D3, L4), they are a model of mid-table consistency. Their success has been built on an exceptionally solid backline, which has been breached only 10 times this season. This defensive prowess makes them a difficult opponent for any team, let alone one struggling for confidence like Girona.
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid CF | 11 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 30 |
| 2 | FC Barcelona | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 25 |
| 3 | Villarreal CF | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 23 |
| 4 | Club Atlético de Madrid | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 22 |
| 5 | Real Betis Balompié | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 19 |
| 6 | RCD Espanyol de Barcelona | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
| 7 | Getafe CF | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 17 |
| 8 | Deportivo Alavés | 11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 15 |
| 9 | Elche CF | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | -1 | 14 |
| 10 | Rayo Vallecano de Madrid | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | -2 | 14 |
| 11 | Athletic Club | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | -2 | 14 |
| 12 | RC Celta de Vigo | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | -1 | 13 |
| 13 | Sevilla FC | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | -2 | 13 |
| 14 | Real Sociedad de Fútbol | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -3 | 12 |
| 15 | CA Osasuna | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -3 | 11 |
| 16 | Levante UD | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -5 | 9 |
| 17 | RCD Mallorca | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -7 | 9 |
| 18 | Valencia CF | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -10 | 9 |
| 19 | Real Oviedo | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -12 | 8 |
| 20 | Girona FC | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -14 | 7 |
Recent Form Analysis
Girona FC: The Catalans are in a dire run of form. Their season has been a continuous struggle to find momentum, with their inability to keep clean sheets consistently undermining any positive attacking play. Scoring just 10 goals while conceding 24 highlights a severe imbalance in the squad. While playing at home provides a theoretical advantage, the pressure to perform in front of their anxious supporters could prove to be a double-edged sword against a team that excels at frustrating opponents.
Deportivo Alavés: The Basque side approaches this game with a clear identity. They are not a team that will overwhelm you with attacking firepower—as evidenced by their modest 11 goals scored—but they are masters of nullifying threats. Their balanced record is a testament to an efficient game plan that focuses on defensive structure first and foremost. They are adept at grinding out results, particularly against teams in the lower half of the table, by staying compact and exploiting key moments.
Head-to-Head Analysis
Historically, fixtures between Girona and Alavés have often been cagey and hard-fought battles. There is rarely much to separate the two sides, with neither team establishing a clear dominance over the other in recent memory. These encounters tend to be tactical chess matches rather than open, free-flowing affairs. This history further suggests that we should not expect a goal-laden spectacle, as both teams are well aware of the challenge the other presents.
Our Prediction
After a thorough analysis of both teams’ current form, tactical identities, and league positions, our primary recommendation is clear. While the temptation might be to back the superior side in Alavés, a more strategic approach focuses on the likely flow of the game.
Our Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
This selection represents the most logical and valuable bet for this specific matchup. While Girona’s dreadful defensive record might initially point towards a high-scoring game, it’s crucial to consider the nature of their opponent. Deportivo Alavés are not an explosive attacking team; their entire strategy is predicated on defensive solidity. Their matches this season have averaged a mere 1.91 total goals. They will arrive at Montilivi with the intention of controlling the tempo, frustrating the home side, and keeping the game tight. This makes a low-scoring outcome far more probable than a chaotic goal-fest. By opting for ‘Under 2.5 Goals’, we cover multiple likely scorelines—such as a 1-0 Alavés win, a 1-1 draw, or even a goalless stalemate—making it a more robust selection than a simple match-winner bet, which could be undone by a single moment of defiance from the home side.
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