Barcelona ― Alaves: preview
We provide predictions for the Barcelona and Alaves match in the 11th round of the 2026/27 Spanish league.
"Barcelona" leads the Primera División, two points ahead of second-placed "Atlético". "Alaves" sits in seventh place, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Key points
Barcelona
"Barcelona" lost its second consecutive match and lost the advantage in the Primera División. "Barcelona" lost first to "PSG" in the Champions League (2:4) and then to "Real" (1:2) in the Primera División, losing the six‑point lead over its main rival. For the second consecutive time, Barça lost its first match since February. The Catalans are suffering the typical autumn dip: Rafaín, after an injury, has not returned to form, the defensive wings have become especially vulnerable due to squad losses – in three consecutive matches the Catalans have conceded at least two goals, allowing 14 clear chances on goal. After the Clásico, Hansi Flick gave his team two days of rest, and on Wednesday, after training, the captain organised a team meal to revive team spirit.
2. Espart left, Kunda returns
Havi Espart left the field during the first half of the match against Real, with an injury. He will be out for two months, but Juil Kunda will return in time, receiving medical clearance to play after the injury. Will he start? The question. If not, Flick will use the option with Alejandro Balde on the left and Joao Cancelo on the right. Andreas Christensen, Eric García, Dani Olmo and Rúni Barbadí are injured and will not appear on the field. Pau Cubasí recovered from the Clásico with fever, but is now in order and 100 % ready.
3. The rest week arrived on time
After the 15‑day international break, the "Barceloneses" played five matches, the longest interval between games in this period was five days. Logistics complicated the situation: after the match against Betis, the team could not leave Barcelona on time and then headed to Paris late. Fatigue adds to the general decline in physical form, typical of mid‑autumn. This is reflected in the quality of pressing, the intensity of the run in attack. But before Alaves there were two days of rest and five days without matches, which should ease the problems.
Alaves
1. "Alaves" has not won in six consecutive matches
"Alaves" is in seventh place, but this is due to a stronger start: in the first four rounds of the Primera División, the Basques earned ten points with three wins. Since then, they have not won in six matches, lost four and have only two points. In the last round, "Alaves" had the perfect opportunity to break the streak, as they played at home against the worst team in the Primera División – "Málaga". But in the end, the Basques almost lost (1:1), only equalising in the 89th minute. With Kike Sánchez Flores, "Alaves" beat "Barcelona" in May 2026 (1:0). But then the Catalans had already won the title and lost motivation, and the match was played at "Mendizorres". At "Barcelona" home, "Alaves" lost eight of the last nine matches.
2. The squad situation at "Alaves" has stabilised
Fakundo Garces and Michael Rodriguez are injured, both out for a long period and will not help "Alaves" for a long time. Lucas Boe suffered a minor injury and had to miss the cup match against "Anaitasuna", which ultimately was not played. For "Barcelona", Boe will probably be ready – he is "Alaves"'s top scorer with five goals. Ángel Pérez lost the suspension, missing the match against "Málaga", so he will play from the start against "Barça". Toni Martínez can return to the starting XI, as Mariano Diaz missed the match against "Málaga".
3. "Alaves" concedes fewer goals
"Alaves" solved the defensive problems that had affected them in the early stage after the appointment of Kike Sánchez Flores. In the current season, the Basques concede less than any other team: 11.06 xG and 12 clear chances – less than "Barcelona" in the last three matches. "Alaves" has never conceded more than two goals in any match of the season, although they continue to concede consistently: in only one of the last seven matches they did not concede any. However, they remain one of the two teams that have never conceded in the season.
Approximate lineups
4-2-3-1-4-2-1
García2
Cancelo18
Martín5
Cubasí23
Kunda8
Pedri16
Ernandes17
Gordon7
López10
Yamall11
Rafín1
Sierra12
Novoa14
Tenalla16
Coski17
Cárcelo7
Pérez19
Ibanez8
Blanco21
Rebba11
Martín15
Boe
Betting on the trend
In the last eight matches between "Barcelona" and "Alaves" fewer than five goals were scored. Bet: TM 4.5 at 1.62.
In five of the last six matches of "Barcelona" and in four of the last six matches of "Alaves" both teams scored. Bet: both teams will score – yes at 1.95.
Prediction
Barcelona vs Alaves 01.11.2026 00:00
"Barcelona" lost for the first time since February two consecutive matches, against "PSG" (2:4) and "Real" (1:2). The typical autumn dip was aggravated by fatigue – after the international break, the Catalans played five matches in 15 days. But after the Clásico, the players had two days of rest, and before Alaves they had more than five days to recover, they should return to normal. Moreover, at home, "Barça" beat "Alaves" in eight of the last nine matches. "Alaves" is in seventh place, but this is due to a stronger start: in the first four rounds of the Primera División, the Basques earned ten points with three wins. Since then, they have not won in six matches, lost four and have only two points. They could not beat the worst team in the Primera División – "Málaga" (1:1). The Basques only benefit from a strong defence, conceding less than any other team: 11.06 xG and 12 clear chances. But at home, "Barça" must win. Prediction: 2-0
