Match Report
11 points for Deportivo Alavés (6th), 4 for Valencia (19th): a 7-point gap. Scoring rates set the scale: Deportivo Alavés 1.57 scored and 0.86 conceded per game, Valencia 0.57 and 1.86, with the league averaging 1.52.
Defeat had followed defeat for Valencia — four in succession. Recent form was uneven: 10/15 points for Deportivo Alavés, 1/15 for Valencia.
Across 20 recorded meetings, Deportivo Alavés have 7 wins to Valencia's 8, with 5 draws, at 2.75 goals per meeting. History backs the host here — 65% of the meetings won by the home side. 70% of the meetings finished with three goals or more, and both sides scored in 75%.
The venue was Estadio de Mendizorroza, with room for 19,840 spectators. M. Sesma Espinosa took charge of the match — our records show 70 games refereed with an average of 2.2 yellow cards per game. On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 0-1.
Goal scorers
Valencia: Luis Rioja (78')
Key stats
Possession: Deportivo Alavés 43% · Valencia 57% · Total shots: 15-10 · On target: 3-3 · Corners: 2-5