Two teams struggling towards the wrong end of the La Liga table will lock horns on Sunday evening, with Villarreal welcoming Alaves to Estadio de la Ceramica.
Villarreal are currently 16th in the division, having picked up just eight points from their opening nine matches, while Alaves are 17th, also with eight points from their first nine games of 2023-24.
Match preview
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Villarreal have found it difficult to get going this season, boasting a record of two wins, two draws and five defeats from their nine league matches, which has left them on eight points down in 16th position.
The Yellow Submarine finished fifth last season and had been expected to push high up the division once again in 2023-24, and while that still might be the case, there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a tough start, with performances and results not at the standard expected.
Pacheta replaced Quique Setien as head coach towards the start of September, but there has not been a huge upturn in terms of form, with the 55-year-old boasting a record of two wins, two draws and three losses from seven games in all competitions.
Villarreal did manage to record a 1-0 win over Rennes in the Europa League at the start of the month, but they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas in the league last time out.
El Submarino Amarillo have only actually picked up two points from their last four league matches, with their last success in Spain's top flight coming at home to struggling Almeria in the middle of September.
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Alaves, meanwhile, have an identical record to Villarreal in the league this season - two wins, two draws and five defeats from nine matches, collecting eight points to sit 17th.
The Basque outfit secured a return to La Liga through the 2022-23 Segunda Division playoffs, and they will now be looking to consolidate back at this level of football after just one year away.
Luis Garcia's side have only picked up two points from their last five league matches, but they will have gained confidence from their 1-1 draw with Real Betis before the international break.
Finding the back of the net has been a real problem this season, only managing seven goals in their nine matches, which is the second-worst record behind Las Palmas (six).
Alaves have won two of their last three La Liga meetings with Villarreal, which should hand them confidence ahead of this match, but they lost 5-2 in the corresponding game between the two teams in 2021-22.
Team News
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Villarreal will be without the services of Yeremi Pino, Francis Coquelin and Denis Suarez through injury this weekend, but Alex Baena is available again following a suspension.
Pino's injury came in the first half of the clash with Las Palmas last time out, so there will have to be at least one change in the final third of the field, with Jose Luis Morales expected to come into the XI.
Baena should also return, while Alberto Moreno and Gerard Moreno are both pushing for spots in the starting side, with the pair appearing off the bench in the clash with Las Palmas.
As for Alaves, on-loan Atletico Madrid attacker Giuliano Simeone remains sidelined due to a serious ankle injury which he suffered during pre-season, while Javi Lopez is a doubt due to an ankle problem of his own.
The visitors will be boosted by the return of Antonio Blanco from suspension, while Ruben Duarte is in line to feature at left-back if Lopez is indeed ruled out of the match.
The bulk of the XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Real Betis last time out should retain their spots for this one, with Alex Sola and Luis Rioja again expected to support Kike Garcia at centre-forward.
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Jorgensen; Foyth, Albiol, Mandi, A Moreno; Parejo, Capoue; Morales, Baena, G Moreno; Sorloth
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Gorosabel, Abqar, Sedlar, Duarte; Guridi, Guevara, Blanco; Sola, Kike Garcia, Rioja
We say: Villarreal 1-0 Alaves
A scrappy 1-0 win would do Villarreal here, as it is a result and not a performance that they need most at this moment in time. Alaves are capable of making it an uncomfortable match, but we believe that the home side will have enough quality to secure a much-needed three points on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
