Deportivo Alavés vs Valencia CF

Deportivo Alavés welcome Valencia to Mendizorroza on September 15 in a fixture that already looks lopsided on paper. Alavés sit second in the Primera División table after a flying start, while Valencia languish deep in the relegation zone, making this an early gut-check for Carlos Corberán's side. Alavés have won three of their opening four matches, including a 5-2 rout of Osasuna, with striker Lucas Boyé banging in four goals and Ángel Pérez chipping in three assists. Valencia arrive in freefall, held to just one point from four games and thumped 5-0 by Barcelona last time out, with a lengthy injury list including José Copete and Sergi Canós compounding their misery. Historically Valencia lead the head-to-head 14-10, but Alavés are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the sides. With momentum firmly behind the hosts and Valencia short on confidence and bodies, Alavés look well placed to extend their strong start. Our prediction: 2-1