Deportivo Alavés host Málaga at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 23, 2026, with kick-off set for 19:00 local time. Both sides need a change in results: Alavés are seventh in La Liga but have gone five matches without a win, while 20th-placed Málaga are still seeking their first victory after nine league games. The home side’s record at Mendizorroza offers encouragement, though Málaga’s recent matches suggest this may not be a straightforward contest.

Deportivo Alavés Recent Form and Key Stats

Alavés took ten points from their opening four league matches, but their next five brought one draw and four defeats. They scored an average of 0.6 goals and conceded 1.4 across that winless stretch. Their overall La Liga record stands at three wins, two draws and four losses, with averages of 1.4 goals scored and 1.1 conceded per match.

The latest setback was a 2-1 defeat to Celta de Vigo on October 18. Alavés had 20 shots in that game, a reminder that their recent results have not always reflected a lack of attacking opportunities. Their other defeats during the five-match run came against Atlético de Madrid, Valencia and Racing, each by a one-goal margin, while the visit to Athletic Club ended 0-0.

Home results give Alavés a stronger starting point for this fixture. They have won three of their five league games at Mendizorroza, beating Getafe 3-0, Villarreal 1-0 and Osasuna 5-2. They have also avoided being behind at half-time in their last 14 La Liga matches, and in 19 of their last 21 home games.

Lucas Boyé leads the Alavés scoring with five goals. Mariano Díaz has contributed three goals and four assists, while Ángel Pérez has supplied three assists. For this match, Alavés are without Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodríguez.

Málaga Recent Form and Key Stats

Málaga have drawn four and lost five of their first nine La Liga matches. Their season averages of 0.7 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per game underline the difficulty they have had turning competitive spells into results. Over their last five outings, they have recorded two draws and three defeats, scoring 1.0 goal and conceding 2.2 per match on average.

Their most recent fixture ended in a 5-2 home defeat to Real Sociedad on October 18. Málaga previously earned a 1-1 draw against Espanyol with a late goal, but lost 1-0 away to Getafe and 3-1 at home to Villarreal. Their away record comprises three defeats and one draw, leaving them without a travelling win ahead of the trip to Mendizorroza. At least one second-half goal has been scored in each of Málaga’s last 16 away matches.

There have been individual contributions despite the team’s difficult start. Adrián Niño has scored three goals, including one against Real Sociedad, and Pablo Martínez has one goal and two assists. Martínez’s delivery and shooting have provided a source of chances, but Málaga have scored only six times across their nine league fixtures. Lobete and Ochoa are unavailable, while Murillo and Juan Cruz are doubts.

Probable Lineups: Deportivo Alavés vs Málaga

Deportivo Alavés: Sivera; Koski, Tenaglia, Valentini, Ángel Pérez, Abde Rebbach, Antonio Blanco, Ibáñez, Denis Suárez, Lucas Boyé, Mariano.

Málaga: Herrero; Calero, Recio, Puga, Rafita, Pablo Martínez, Dotor, Dani Lorenzo, Joaquín, Larrubia, Adrián Niño.

Deportivo Alavés vs Málaga Match Analysis

The central question in this La Liga preview is whether Alavés can turn their home record into an end to their five-game winless run. They have kept recent defeats close and created 20 shots against Celta, but their return of 0.6 goals per game over the last five matches shows why a promising performance alone may not be enough. The contributions of Boyé, Mariano and Ángel Pérez could be important against a Málaga side conceding two goals per game on average this season.

Málaga have reason to target a goal of their own: Alavés have conceded in four of their last five matches, while Málaga scored twice against Real Sociedad despite losing heavily. Even so, the visitors have yet to win in the league and have taken just one draw from four away fixtures. Alavés have won three of five at home, and the supplied head-to-head record gives them four wins and one defeat across the last five meetings. Those figures point to a home advantage, provided Alavés can make more of the chances they create.

Deportivo Alavés vs Málaga prediction from BetMines: Deportivo Alavés win (1) with 41% probability.