Alavés vs Valencia: Bottom club looks to end worst start in club history
On Tuesday, September 15, Deportivo Alavés hosts Valencia at Mendizorroza in La Liga; the home side sits fourth with 10 points, while Valencia is bottom of the table, 20th, with just one point.
Match basics
On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, La Liga sees Deportivo Alavés face Valencia at Estadio de Mendizorroza in Vitoria. According to The New York Times, kickoff is at 2 p.m. ET, with the match streaming on ESPN+ for U.S. viewers.
Diverging trajectories
The two clubs' league positions couldn't be more different. Alavés sit fourth with 10 points, and their goal difference (+6) is the third-best in the league. Valencia, meanwhile, occupy last place, 20th, with only one point and a goal difference of -9 — as OneFootball notes, this marks the worst start in the club's history. Over their last five league matches, Alavés recorded three wins, one draw and one loss, while Valencia managed just one draw against four defeats. The head-to-head record over the last five meetings also favors Alavés — two wins and two draws against a single Valencia win, according to Vietnam.vn.
Squad troubles
Both sides are dealing with injury concerns. Alavés will be without Mikel Rodríguez and Aitor Mañas — the latter suffered a concussion and was stretchered off during last weekend's match against Racing de Santander, though kirolakeitb.eus reports he has since been discharged from hospital ahead of Tuesday's game. Valencia are missing Umar Sadiq, Cesar Tárrega, Dimitri Foulquier and Mouctar Diakhaby, while Vietnam.vn also lists Sergio Canós, José Copete and Diego López as unavailable. Valencia's defensive situation is so strained that only one fit senior center-back, Justin De Haas, is available, raising the possibility of promoting younger players or repositioning midfielder Pepelu.
What the coaches say
Valencia's interim head coach Óscar Sánchez said the squad is eager to turn the situation around and that his coaching staff have settled in well, pledging greater defensive solidity. Alavés coach Quique Sánchez Flores expressed confidence ahead of the match, saying: "I think we are ready to compete again." Bookmakers favor Alavés (-157 moneyline versus +468 for Valencia), and Lucas Boyé, with four goals in four games, is the home side's top scorer this season.
