Barcelona prepare for Saturday’s La Liga fixture against Deportivo Alavés seeking to recover from their initial setback of the 2026-27 campaign. La Blaugrana had matched their best-ever start to a domestic league season, but their winning run was derailed by consecutive European champions Paris Saint-Germain ahead of El Clásico.
Pundits noted that Hansi Flick’s squad possessed an opportunity to deal a severe early blow to Real Madrid’s championship aspirations. A win seven days ago would have extended their advantage to nine points over their rivals, but José Mourinho delivered a painful blow on his return to Camp Nou. The home team put in a subpar performance and fully deserved to lose, injecting renewed drama into the title chase.
Following back-to-back losses, Flick’s men are eager to respond, and a favorable matchup presents itself next. While Alavés’ position in seventh place might imply a stern challenge for Barça on their home turf, the visiting side is currently suffering a sharp decline in form.
Alavés enter the contest without a victory in their last six matches, having last secured three points on September 6.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
- Kickoff Time: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. GMT
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Stadium: Camp Nou
- Referee: Adrián Cordero
Barcelona vs. Alavés Correct Score Prediction
Flick is no stranger to temporary stumbles during his stint in charge of Barcelona, and he will be eager to ensure his team’s initial setbacks of the campaign do not spiral into a wider slump, particularly with their upcoming schedule prior to the international window.
The home side ultimately fell to top-tier opponents, meaning there is no cause for alarm. The domestic title chase might simply prove a bit more tightly contested than anticipated a few weeks back, when Flick’s squad seemed unstoppable.
Despite their recent struggles, Alavés occupy their current league position on merit. They represent a resilient opponent to break down, and Barça may not dominate their guests across the entire match. Securing the win will demand significant effort while simultaneously putting to rest any lingering uncertainties.
- Historical matchup data: Barcelona have claimed victory in 36 of their 51 total encounters against Alavés, while the visiting side has failed to win in any of their last nine visits to the Blaugrana. Historically, Alavés have managed just two away victories against Barcelona.
- Alavés’ road struggles: The visitors have endured a difficult run on the road to open the new season. They remain winless across four away fixtures, holding the fourth-poorest away record in La Liga.
- A driven Lamine Yamal: While Flick is expected to adjust his starting eleven on Saturday, Yamal is likely to retain his spot. The teenage winger is intensely focused on claiming the Ballon d’Or, and though his pursuit is underway, Harry Kane’s recognition on Monday will only fuel his drive, particularly after a quiet outing in El Clásico. Alavés will need to be on high alert.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Alavés
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