Alaves will kick off their 2026/27 La Liga campaign against Getafe this Saturday evening, aiming for a brighter season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term. The hosts will need to summon their resilience, particularly after a disappointing home loss to Rayo Vallecano ended their previous season.
Getafe, on the other hand, celebrated an impressive seventh-place finish last season and secured a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying round. As reported by SoccerNews, they are set to face Serbian side Partizan next week as they look to build on their success.
Alaves: Seeking Stability After Tumultuous Season
Alaves managed to hold onto their top-flight status last term by the skin of their teeth, finishing just one point above the drop zone. The Basque side demonstrated resilience with a 1-0 win over Barcelona and lost only three of their last 11 matches. Unbeaten in pre-season, they will be looking to establish themselves with a solid performance against Getafe. However, serious concerns linger as midfielder Tomas Mendes remains unavailable for selection.
Getafe: Aiming to Continue European Journey
The visitors enjoyed a remarkable season that saw them clinch a European place for the first time since the 2018/19 campaign. Under the guidance of José Bordalás, they concluded their previous season with a 1-0 win over Osasuna and seem well-prepared to take on Alaves. Despite injuries to midfielder Christantus Uche and Juanmi, new arrival Orel Mangala from Lyon will be crucial in the midfield as Getafe looks to carry their momentum into the new season.
Previous Meetings: Getafe with Strong Advantage
In their last encounter on February 8th, Getafe triumphed over Alaves with a 2-0 victory in the Basque Country. In recent outings, they have earned 10 points from their last four face-offs against Alaves. Historically, meetings between these two have been closely contested, evidenced by the last six fixtures finishing with fewer than 2.5 goals.
The SportiveNews view
Saturday’s match could set the tone for both teams’ campaigns. Alaves needs to convert their pre-season form into competitive results to avoid another relegation battle, while Getafe aims to validate last season’s success. With records suggesting low-scoring encounters, a closely fought match could be on the cards.
Frequently asked questions
What is Alaves’s key focus for the new season?
Alaves is primarily focused on building a more stable campaign after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. They intend to leverage their strong pre-season performances to achieve better results this term.
What are Getafe’s expectations entering the new La Liga season?
Getafe aims to build on their previous season’s achievements, having secured a European qualifying spot. Their objective is to replicate their performance and continue to challenge for a strong league position while preparing for upcoming European matches.
How have the previous encounters between Alaves and Getafe shaped their rivalry?
The results of their last few encounters have heavily favoured Getafe, with them securing two wins in the last four matchups. The matches have also tended to be low-scoring, indicating a competitive rivalry between the teams.
Source: Based on reporting from SoccerNews. SportiveNews rewrote and analysed the story independently for football readers.
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