Espanyol v Alaves LIVE 30/01/2026 | Football

[(RCD Espanyol) Strength]:
1. RCD Espanyol are in 5th place in the league with 34 points, 7 points away from the top 4 Champions League spots. To secure the 5th-place Europa League spot, they must aim for all three points in this match.
2. Left-back Carlos Romero has been outstanding this season, covering a wide range on the flank and excelling in both attack and defense. He has contributed 4 goals and 2 assists while also leading the team in interceptions and tackles.
3. Eduardo Exposito Jaen is highly creative in midfield, having provided 50 key passes and 5 assists this season. He averages 7.3 crosses per match.
4. RCD Espanyol have been eliminated from the Copa del Rey, allowing the team to focus solely on domestic competitions, which is a significant advantage for their physical condition.
5. RCD Espanyol have failed to win in their last four matches. After a previous three-match winning streak, the team have gradually lost momentum and the feeling of winning.
6. RCD Espanyol have conceded 8 goals in their last four matches, averaging 2 goals conceded per game, indicating poor defensive performance.
7. RCD Espanyol have won 6, drawn 1, and lost 4 in their 11 league home matches this season. Their home performance is a key factor in earning points.

[(RCD Espanyol) Weakness]:
1. Right-back Omar El Hilali will be suspended for this match. He is the team's main full-back and has contributed 3 assists this season.

[(Deportivo Alaves) Strength]:
1. Deportivo Alaves are in 15th place in the league with 22 points, just 1 point above the relegation zone. The team's survival is precarious, and they must fight for points in every remaining match to improve their league position.
2. Antonio Martinez is the team's top scorer, having scored 7 goals this season. Standing at 187cm, he serves as a crucial target man in attack and is a major threat in set-piece situations.
3. Antonio Blanco is strong in midfield interceptions and covers a wide area. He averages 2.79 tackles per match and has completed 53 tackles this season, serving as the team's midfield shield.
4. Deportivo Alaves successfully defeated Real Betis 2-1 in their last match, ending a six-match winless streak in the league and showing signs of improvement.
5. Deportivo Alaves defeated RCD Espanyol 2-1 in their most recent encounter, giving them a slight psychological advantage.

[(Deportivo Alaves) Weakness]:
1. Deportivo Alaves have only managed 1 win, 1 draw, and 8 losses in their 10 league away matches, performing poorly on the road and scoring the fewest away goals in the league.
2. Deportivo Alaves have lost all three of their recent away matches, conceding 7 goals in the process. Their away defense is unstable, and their performance on the road is weak.

[Tips]:
In their first encounter this season, Deportivo Alaves defeated their opponents 2-1 at home. However, overall head-to-head records show that RCD Espanyol still hold the advantage. RCD Espanyol's recent underdogs aura has somewhat faded, having gone four matches without a win. Meanwhile, Deportivo Alaves successfully ended their league winless streak in their last match, showing clear signs of improvement. Additionally, Deportivo Alaves had a slight edge in their most recent meeting. Therefore, Deportivo Alaves are favored to avoid defeat away from home.

[Recommended]:
Deportivo Alaves (+0.5)