Alaves 2 - 1 FT Espanyol

Alavés survive the storm: Boyé's late red caps breathless finale

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 66/100. A crunch match between European hopefuls where Alavés's early control nearly crumbled when Espanyol's second-half intensity threatened to overturn the script.

Suárez strikes early, Boyé seals it—then chaos

From the opening whistle, Alavés set the tone with surgical precision. Denis Suárez punished Espanyol's sluggish start with a 5th-minute opener, delivering a masterclass in midfield control with 1 key pass and an 8.2 rating that screamed dominance. The home side was dictating balance with 54% possession and early command.

Then came Lucas Boyé at the 40th minute—a second goal that appeared to have settled the stakes entirely. Alavés looked destined for a comfortable victory, but Espanyol had other ideas lurking in their 18 total shots and relentless pressing.

Fernández Jaén's substitute magic and the red card reckoning

Roberto Fernández Jaén emerged from the bench in the 46th minute and struck in the 56th—a goal that transformed the narrative entirely. Carlos Romero provided the assist that breathed life back into Espanyol's campaign, turning a potential rout into a genuine battle.

But the intensity reached fever pitch when Boyé saw red in the 90+1 for a foul, leaving Alavés defending with ten men at the most critical juncture. Despite Espanyol's numerical advantage in the final moments, Alavés held firm. The statistics told the story: 31 combined shots, just 6 on target, and a finish that embodied the unpredictable upset factor lurking in every corner of this six-pointer.

Alaves vs Espanyol: Desperation Meets Ambition

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 61/100. A perfectly balanced six-pointer where Alaves desperately hunt survival points while Espanyol consolidate European credentials.

The Setup

Alaves are in freefall—three straight defeats have left them six points adrift of safety. Espanyol, meanwhile, sit sixth with 24 points, but know the margin is razor-thin in La Liga. The Balance here is extraordinary: both teams need this result, just for entirely different reasons. The Stakes are moderate league-wide, but existential for the hosts. This is a match where desperation collides with composure.

Key Battle

The midfield axis will decide this. Espanyol's defensive structure, anchored by Fernando Calero's reading of the game, must contain Alaves' high-pressure tactics. Calero has averaged 7.6 over his last two outings—a steady hand controlling tempo from deep. Alaves will hunt transitions; Espanyol will strangle them methodically. Whoever controls possession in the middle third controls the match.

Our Prediction

Alaves emerge with urgency, but Espanyol possess the quality to absorb and counter-punch. Goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović has kept three clean sheets in five games—a defensive fortress that Alaves cannot easily breach. We predict a 1-1 draw: Alaves score from their hunger for points, but Espanyol's solidity ensures they don't crack. Both sides leave the Mendizorrotza satisfied.