TIPS - Alaves VS Espanyol

[(Deportivo Alaves) Strength]:
1. Deportivo Alaves are ranked 12th in the La Liga table, taking 12 points. Facing 5th-placed RCD Espanyol, they are strongly motivated to win this league game at home and move up in the table.
2. Deportivo Alaves received 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses at home this season so far, scoring 7 goals and conceding 5, with a win rate of 40%. Their ability to grab points at home is better than on the road.

[(Deportivo Alaves) Neutral]:
1. Deportivo Alaves have a favorable injury situation. Their main absentee is defender Jon Pacheco due to injury, but the squad is relatively complete.
2. Deportivo Alaves conceded 6 goals in the last 6 games across all competitions, with an average of 1 goal per game, boasting average defense.

[(Deportivo Alaves) Weakness]:
1. Deportivo Alaves have 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses in the last 6 competitive games, with a win rate of 16.7%, showing a decline in overall form.
2. Deportivo Alaves scored 5 goals in the last 6 games across all competitions, averaging less than 1 goal per game, showing scoring inefficiency.
3. Deportivo Alaves received 3 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses in the last 10 encounters against RCD Espanyol, placing them at a disadvantage. The two teams' last meeting was in February this year, where Deportivo Alaves lost 1-0 to RCD Espanyol at home.
4. Deportivo Alaves won only 4 of the previous 10 games and lost 2 of their last 3 home ones in AH.

[(RCD Espanyol) Strength]:
1. RCD Espanyol are 5th in the league table, taking 18 points. Facing 12th-placed Deportivo Alaves, they are strongly motivated to win this away match and cement their European football spot.
2. RCD Espanyol scored 14 goals in the opening 10 matches, averaging over 1 goal per game, showing scoring efficiency.
3. RCD Espanyol beat Deportivo Alaves twice in two legs last season. Besides, the former won 4 of their last 5 meetings, giving them a better mentality.
4. RCD Espanyol entered the top five in La Liga with 5 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, showing stable performances this season.
5.RCD Espanyol lost only one of the last 5 competitive games on the road and won the last 2 league games in AH.

[(RCD Espanyol) Weakness]:
1. RCD Espanyol's starting striker Javi Puado remains sidelined due to injury, which will have a certain negative impact on the team's offensive organization.
2. RCD Espanyol conceded 11 goals in the opening 10 games, with an average of over 1 goal per game, boasting unstable defense.
3. RCD Espanyol won only one of their 4 away games this season, with a win rate of only 25%, demonstrating poor away performances.

[Tips]:
Firstly, in terms of overall team form and momentum, RCD Espanyol's recent competitive state and defensive performance are clearly superior to those of Deportivo Alaves.

RCD Espanyol exceeded expectations this season, currently ranking in fifth place.

Although the absence of their starting striker, Javi Puado, impacts their attacking strength, their relatively solid recent defensive system still has the capability to keep a clean sheet against Deportivo Alaves' weak and inconsistent attack.

Deportivo Alaves not only suffer from inconsistent offensive output, but their poor defense is also the team's biggest weakness.

Furthermore, on a psychological level, Espanyol hold an advantage in the historical head-to-head record, which should have a positive impact on the players' confidence.

Combining this analysis, the recommendation for this match is for Espanyol to remain unbeaten away from home.

[Recommended]:
RCD Espanyol (+0/0.5)