La Liga returns to El Sardinero this Saturday as high-flying Racing Santander host Alaves, with both sides looking to make an early statement in the 2026/27 season. Racing come into this clash brimming with confidence, having secured 22 wins and just 10 losses last term, boasting an impressive 58% win rate. Their recent form, with three wins and a draw from their last five outings, underscores their attacking prowess, having netted 79 goals in the previous campaign.
In stark contrast, Alaves endured a challenging season, registering only 8 wins and 14 defeats. Their recent form shows a struggle for consistency, with just one win and three draws in their last five, reflecting a mere 26% win rate. Goals have been hard to come by for Alaves, scoring only 35 times last season. Despite Racing's superior form and historical dominance in goals, the head-to-head record suggests a tighter affair, with three of the last five encounters ending in draws. The betting market surprisingly offers a high draw probability, indicating a potentially cagey match where Racing will look to leverage their attacking strength against Alaves' resilient, albeit less potent, setup. Keep an eye on Racing's forward line to break down a potentially stubborn Alaves defence.
13. J. Agirrezabala, 2. A. Mantilla, 4. Manu Hernando, 16. F. Gonzalez, 17. J. Salinas, 23. I. Martin, 18. M. Prati, 15. P. Garcia, 20. S. Canales, 10. I. Vicente, 21. Y. Zabiri
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