Alaves vs Granada Prediction: Home side edge nervy clash

Alaves welcome Granada to the Estadio Mendizorrota on Friday night (20:00), as La Liga returns following an 11-day hiatus.

The international break will have left both clubs with plenty to think about, as they each sit precariously in the bottom-half of the league.

One win in their last nine games has dented the early-season momentum Alaves picked up by winning two of their first four, while 19th-placed Granada haven't won since matchday three.

Team News

Midfielder Carlos Benavidez has missed Alaves' last three games while forward Guilano Simeone - son of Atletico boss Diego - has been out since August with a broken ankle.

On-loan Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo has been injured for the majority of the season, playing just twice for Granada, but the 26-year-old was pictured in full training earlier this week.

There are doubts over the availability of Raul Torrente and Raul Fernandez, though, while Bryan Zaragoza, their leading light with five goals and two assists this season, is suspended for Friday's fixture.

Match Odds

Alaves arrive on Friday as 4/5 favourites to win, while Granada are 18/5 to win their first away game of the season. A draw can be backed at 5/2.

Both teams to score is 10/11, and it's EVS for over 2.5 goals.

Under 2.5 goals @ 8/11

This should be an intriguing clash given both clubs are pretty desperate for points, but whether that sets the match up to be full of goals is another matter.

The stats certainly don't read well for a thriller, with Alaves involved in more games with under 2.5 goals (10/13) than any other side in La Liga. It's been even more dull at home, with only one of their six at the Estadio Mendizorrotza featuring more than 2.5 (4-3 vs Sevilla, matchday two).

Granada have had a couple of entertaining games on the road, losing 5-3 at Real Sociedad and drawing 3-3 in Almeria. But half (3/6) have had under 2.5 goals, and they've also failed to score in their last two away matches.

Given the importance of a win to either side, if one of them does go into the lead, expect them to bunker down and attempt to grind it out to the end.

Alaves to win to nil @ 9/5

Alaves certainly justify their favourites tag going into this one, after winning half (3/6) of their home games this season. Luis Garcia's side have already beaten Sevilla, Valencia and Almeria at home, and they also held a strong Betis side to a 1-1 draw. They should also take confidence from their last match, a 2-1 defeat to reigning champions Barcelona where they were in the lead for over half of it.

Granada, meanwhile, have won just once this season, a narrow 3-2 win at home against Mallorca on August 26th, and they have lost five of their six away games in the league. They will also be without Zaragoza in attack on Friday, which is a huge loss.

Taking all of this into account, the home side look well placed to win again at home and pick up a third clean sheet at their own ground.

You can see all the rest of our Football Betting Tips at our football hub on Betfred Insights.