Barcelona vs Alaves Prediction: Two ways to Bet on a Barca Win

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Barcelona play their second match at the newly renovated Camp Nou on Saturday, with Alavés the visitors. Hansi Flick will be hoping for a response from his team following a difficult night in the Champions League. 

Their trip to Stamford Bridge started poorly with Chelsea creating more chances in the opening exchanges and taking the lead through a Jules Koundé own goal. Ferran Torres had missed a sitter for Barça prior to that, but the visiting team's night went from bad to worse after Ronald Araújo's needless red card just before the break. The Premier League side went on to wrap up a convincing 3-0 victory. 

The Spanish champions are still in contention for a top-eight finish in that competition, but they now have a busy eight-day period when they can focus on their domestic commitments. 

With Real Madrid slipping up in their last two league games, Barça have been able to cut the deficit at the top to just one point thanks to victories over both Celta Vigo and Athletic Club. They put in one of their most complete performances of the campaign last weekend, with Lamine Yamal providing two brilliant assists for Ferran in a 4-0 victory. 

Flick would have been keen for his side to settle quickly back into life at Camp Nou, and they've rarely been troubled in their home fixtures so far this term. Barça have already hosted matches in three different stadiums, but have won six out of six in La Liga in front of their own fans. 

While this is also a favourable fixture on paper, Barcelona found it tough going against Alavés when they visited last season. The Basque side held firm until a Robert Lewandowski strike in the 61st minute, which would prove the game's only goal. 

That was early on in Chacho Coudet's reign, but the ex-Celta Vigo boss is now much more settled into this role. He doesn't have as much attacking talent to work with as was the case during his previous stint in La Liga, but summer signing Lucas Boyé has added a physical presence up top. He has worked well in tandem with fellow forward Toni Martínez at times. 

This is still not a free-scoring Alavés side by any means, though. They've only scored 11 goals in 13 matches so far this season in La Liga. Their last two matches have ended in 1-0 defeats against Girona and Celta. 

Overall, Coudet does deserve real credit for getting them organised across the pitch, and making this side one of the most difficult teams in the Spanish top flight to break open. Only two clubs can better their total of just 12 goals conceded this term. 

Given where their strengths lie, it's not too hard to guess how Alavés might approach this encounter. It's likely to be a similar setup to the one we saw when the clubs last clashed in February. They only had three shots in that match, but did a much better job than most of stifling Barça's attacking stars. 

Team News: 

Barcelona have a huge game against Atlético Madrid just three days after this one. That will certainly have some impact on the team that Flick picks on Saturday. The likes of Marcus Rashford, Gerard Martín, Dani Olmo and Marc Casado could rotate in, after only making the bench against Chelsea. 

Pedri is also nearing fitness again, and could be on the bench. Gavi and Marc-André ter Stegen remain sidelined due to injuries, while Araújo and Fermín López have also been ruled out of this game. 

As for Alavés, they have a clean bill of health as they target a famous upset at Camp Nou. Their only absentee is Facundo Garces, who has been suspended by FIFA after the Malaysia national team used doctored documentation to register the Argentina-born player, and several others of claimed Malaysian heritage.