Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 19
Villarreal v Alaves
Estadio de la Ceramica
Villarreal, Spain
Saturday, 10 January 2026
Kick-off is at 17h15
Villarreal have the chance to close the gap on the frontrunners in La Liga when they welcome Alaves to La Ceramica on Saturday, January 10.
The Yellow Submarine started the new year on a positive note with a 3-1 victory over newly-promoted Elche on January 3 after losing 2-0 to league leaders Barcelona in their final game of 2025.
That defeat had halted a six-match winning streak for Marcelino's side, who'd made their best-ever start to a season in the Spanish top flight by picking up 35 points from their opening 16 fixtures.
Their triumph in Elche took the Castellon outfit back above Atletico Madrid on goal difference in third place after Los Colchoneros were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Sociedad on January 4.
Villarreal are seven points behind Real Madrid and a further four adrift of the Blaugrana with two games in hand on the league's top two, who won't feature at the weekend.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
The Babazorros have a good recent record against the Yellow Submarine, winning two of their last five meetings, including a 1-0 success at home on 8 March 2025.
Eduardo Coudet's side claimed a point in their first outing of 2026 after playing out to a 1-1 draw with rock-bottom Real Oviedo on January 4, having closed out last year with a 3-0 loss to Osasuna.
The Basque club find themselves in a three-way tie with Osasuna (12th) and Rayo Vallecano (14th) in 13th position, while Real Sociedad (15th), Real Mallorca (16th) and Girona (17th) are only one point behind the trio.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Marcelino expressed pride in his players for a good performance at the Estadio Martinez Valero, where Los Franjiverdes had previously been unbeaten this term and described his team's achievements thus far as "incredible".
"They put in a performance to be proud of. Despite recent results, the team is doing well and this victory confirms it. The feelings are good and today's performance in the boxes proves it," he said.
"We have 38 points with two matches left to finish the first half of the season. It's incredible. We've only lost three matches against the big teams. It's something to be very satisfied about."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Villarreal wins - 1
Alaves wins - 2
Draws - 2
La Liga Matchday 19 fixtures:
Friday, January 9
22h00: Getafe v Real Sociedad
Saturday, January 10
15h00: Real Oviedo v Real Betis
17h15: Villarreal v Alaves
19h30: Girona v Osasuna
22h00: Valencia v Elche
Sunday, January 11
15h00: Rayo Vallecano v Real Mallorca
17h15: Levante v Espanyol
Monday, January 12
22h00: Sevilla v Celta Vigo
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