FC Barcelona return to Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with a point to prove. After suffering consecutive defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, Hansi Flick’s side welcome Deportivo Alavés in a match that could have significant consequences for their LaLiga title ambitions.
The Catalan giants remain at the top of the Spanish league standings, but their advantage has narrowed. With Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid applying pressure, Barcelona cannot afford another disappointing result.
On paper, the visitors appear to offer an ideal opportunity for a response. Alavés have struggled to maintain their impressive early-season form and arrive in Catalonia without a league victory in their previous six matches.
However, Barcelona’s growing injury problems, particularly in defence, could make this encounter more complicated than expected.
Alavés also have a recent victory over the Blaugrana to draw confidence from, having defeated an already-crowned Barcelona side in May.
For Flick, this is about much more than collecting three points. It is an opportunity to restore confidence, correct recent defensive mistakes and demonstrate that Barcelona remain capable of setting the standard in Spanish football.
1. Fixture Details: Barcelona vs Deportivo Alavés
- Match: FC Barcelona vs Deportivo Alavés
- Competition: LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27
- Matchday: 11
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Kickoff: 9:00 PM CET (Barcelona time)
- Saudi Arabia: 11:00 PM
- United Kingdom: 8:00 PM
- United States (Eastern): 4:00 PM
- Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Barcelona manager: Hansi Flick
- Alavés manager: Quique Sánchez Flores
Barcelona enter the weekend in first place with 27 points from 10 league fixtures, having recorded nine victories and one defeat.
Deportivo Alavés occupy seventh position with 12 points after three victories, three draws and four defeats.
The contrast between the two clubs is particularly noticeable in attack. Barcelona have scored an extraordinary 40 league goals, averaging four per match, while Alavés have managed 14.
Interestingly, both teams have conceded 11 goals.
That statistic suggests an intriguing contest: Barcelona possess substantially greater attacking firepower, but their defensive record is no better than that of Saturday’s opponents.
2. Team News, Injuries and Predicted Lineups
Barcelona’s defensive injury crisis
The biggest concern for Hansi Flick is the number of defenders unavailable for selection.
Barcelona are expected to be without Jules Koundé, Eric García, Andreas Christensen and Xavi Espart.
Koundé continues to struggle with an ankle problem that has prevented him from returning to full training. Although there had been optimism about his recovery, he did not participate in Friday’s final session.
Espart suffered an ankle injury against Real Madrid and faces several weeks on the sidelines.
Eric García and Christensen remain unavailable because of muscular problems.
Further forward, Dani Olmo is sidelined with an adductor injury, while Roony Bardghji continues his recovery from a serious knee problem.
These absences leave Flick with very limited defensive options and increase the importance of Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín.
João Cancelo and Alejandro Balde are expected to have important roles at full-back, although Flick has also discussed the possibility of using academy defender Brian Fariñas.
Barcelona’s final training session included several Barça Atlètic players, among them Guillem Víctor, Àlex Campos, Ebrima Tunkara, Hamza Abdelkarim and goalkeeper Max Bonfill.
Their participation demonstrates how seriously the coaching staff are treating the shortage of available first-team players.
Positive news for Barcelona
There are nevertheless encouraging developments elsewhere in the squad.
Frenkie de Jong recently returned to competitive action after a lengthy absence, giving Flick another experienced option in midfield.
Raphinha has also returned to action and scored Barcelona’s equaliser against Real Madrid in El Clásico.
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal continues to be one of the team’s most influential attacking players.
His creativity, close control and ability to destabilise opponents could prove decisive against a compact Alavés defensive structure.
Barcelona predicted starting XI (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Joan García
Defenders: João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Alejandro Balde
Midfielders: Fermín López, Rodri, Pedri
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon
This is a projected lineup, not an officially confirmed selection.
Flick could rotate several positions because Barcelona also have important Champions League and domestic fixtures approaching.
Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Marc Bernal, Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus provide potential alternatives, depending on the manager’s tactical priorities.
Deportivo Alavés team news
Alavés have fewer reported injury concerns, although Facundo Garcés and Mikel Rodríguez are unavailable with knee injuries.
An important development for the visitors is the return of Ander Guevara, who missed their previous match against Málaga for family reasons.
His availability offers Quique Sánchez Flores additional midfield options.
Lucas Boyé is another player Barcelona must monitor carefully. The Argentine forward has scored five league goals this season and is a significant physical presence in the opposition penalty area.
Mariano Díaz has also contributed goals and assists, giving Alavés multiple ways to threaten the Barcelona defence.
Deportivo Alavés predicted starting XI (5-3-2)
Goalkeeper: Antonio Sivera
Defenders: Ángel Pérez, Nahuel Tenaglia, Ville Koski, Nicolás Valentini, Abde Rebbach
Midfielders: Carles Aleñá, Antonio Blanco, Pablo Ibáñez
Forwards: Mariano Díaz, Lucas Boyé
Alavés could alter their midfield personnel or defensive arrangement, particularly if Sánchez Flores decides that additional protection is necessary against Barcelona’s attacking players.
Note: Both starting elevens are predictions as of October 30. Official lineups are normally announced shortly before kickoff.
3. Recent Form: Barcelona’s Momentum Interrupted
Barcelona’s last five matches
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| October 10 | Barcelona vs Getafe | Won 3-0 |
| October 13 | Galatasaray vs Barcelona | Won 4-1 |
| October 17 | Real Betis vs Barcelona | Won 5-2 |
| October 20 | PSG vs Barcelona | Lost 4-2 |
| October 25 | Barcelona vs Real Madrid | Lost 2-1 |
Five-match record: Three wins, two defeats, 15 goals scored and nine conceded.
Barcelona began October with three convincing victories, demonstrating why their attacking football has been so effective this season.
The wins against Getafe, Galatasaray and Real Betis highlighted their ability to create chances through intelligent movement, attacking width and combinations around the opposition penalty area.
But their final two matches exposed weaknesses.
Against Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona conceded four goals in a difficult Champions League encounter.
Five days later, Real Madrid handed Flick’s men their first league defeat of the campaign with a 2-1 victory at Spotify Camp Nou.
The consecutive defeats raise important questions about Barcelona’s defensive organisation, energy levels and ability to control matches against strong opposition.
One particularly concerning issue has been their vulnerability when losing possession.
Flick’s attacking system depends on coordinated pressure and quick defensive recovery. When those mechanisms fail, opponents can exploit the spaces behind Barcelona’s defensive line.
Saturday’s match presents an opportunity to address these problems against a team that may spend long periods defending.
Alavés’ recent form
Deportivo Alavés started the season impressively, collecting 10 points from their opening four league fixtures.
That early success temporarily positioned them among LaLiga’s leading teams.
Their momentum has since disappeared.
Across their last six league matches, Alavés have collected only two points from a possible 18, recording two draws and four defeats.
Their latest result was a 1-1 draw against Málaga on October 23.
They have not won a league match since their 5-2 victory over Osasuna earlier in September.
Despite this difficult period, Alavés remain seventh, showing how valuable their strong opening results have been.
For Sánchez Flores, the challenge is to rediscover the organisation, intensity and confidence that characterised the beginning of the campaign.
Although Barcelona are clear favourites, the visitors have already demonstrated that they can compete effectively against stronger opponents.
4. Head-to-Head History: Can Barcelona Avenge Their Last Defeat?
Barcelona have enjoyed considerable success against Deportivo Alavés over the past decade.
According to FC Barcelona’s official match records, the clubs have met 21 times since 2011, with the Catalans recording 17 victories, two draws and two defeats.
However, their most recent encounter ended in an unexpected result.
Recent Barcelona vs Alavés results
| Season | Fixture | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Alavés vs Barcelona | 1-0 |
| 2025/26 | Barcelona vs Alavés | 3-1 |
| 2024/25 | Barcelona vs Alavés | 1-0 |
| 2024/25 | Alavés vs Barcelona | 0-3 |
| 2023/24 | Alavés vs Barcelona | 1-3 |
In May 2026, Alavés defeated Barcelona 1-0 at Mendizorroza courtesy of a goal from Diabaté.
The circumstances surrounding that match are important.
Barcelona had already secured the league championship, and Flick selected a heavily rotated team following the club’s title celebrations.
The result therefore should not be interpreted as evidence that Alavés regularly outperform Barcelona.
Nevertheless, it demonstrated that the visitors can frustrate the Catalans and take advantage of their opportunities.
Earlier in the 2025/26 season, Barcelona defeated Alavés 3-1 at Camp Nou after falling behind early.
Lamine Yamal equalised before Dani Olmo scored twice to complete the comeback.
Another historical detail favours the hosts: Barcelona have not lost a home league match against Alavés since September 2016.
Saturday offers the Blaugrana a chance to strengthen that record and avenge May’s defeat.
5. Tactical Analysis and Key Battles
Can Barcelona break down Alavés’ defensive block?
The most likely tactical pattern involves Barcelona dominating possession while Alavés defend with a compact structure.
Sánchez Flores is expected to employ a back five, particularly when his team are without the ball.
This approach would allow the visitors to protect central areas and make it difficult for Barcelona to create clear shooting opportunities.
For Flick, patience will be essential.
Barcelona cannot simply move the ball from side to side and expect defensive gaps to appear.
Their midfielders must create passing angles, make intelligent runs between defensive lines and force Alavés players out of position.
Pedri’s ability to control possession in tight spaces could be particularly valuable.
Fermín López can provide runs beyond the opposition midfield, while Rodri offers control and defensive protection.
The speed at which Barcelona circulate the ball could determine whether they create opportunities or become trapped in predictable possession.
Lamine Yamal against the Alavés left flank
One of the most interesting individual battles will develop on Barcelona’s right wing.
Lamine Yamal has eight league goals and six assists this season, according to LaLiga’s pre-match statistics.
His importance extends beyond those numbers.
The Spanish international regularly attracts multiple defenders, opening spaces for teammates around him.
Alavés will need to decide whether to defend him aggressively or maintain their defensive positions.
Closing him down too quickly could create passing opportunities inside the penalty area.
Giving him too much space would allow him to attack defenders directly or deliver dangerous passes.
João Cancelo’s movement could also influence this battle. His willingness to move into central spaces may help Barcelona create numerical advantages around Yamal.
Raphinha’s movement and Barcelona’s finishing
Raphinha has scored 13 league goals this season, making him Barcelona’s leading scorer in the competition.
His return to the scoresheet against Real Madrid was an encouraging development despite the defeat.
Against Alavés, Barcelona will need attackers who can exploit limited space.
Raphinha’s movement into dangerous positions and his ability to finish quickly could prove important.
Anthony Gordon’s pace may also provide a different attacking dimension, particularly if Alavés push their defensive line higher.
The home side should aim to turn territorial control into high-quality chances rather than relying exclusively on shots from outside the area.
Alavés’ crossing threat: A major defensive warning
One of the most significant tactical details concerns the visitors’ use of wide areas.
According to FC Barcelona’s official pre-match analysis, Alavés lead LaLiga in crosses, having delivered 157 from open play and 206 when corners are included.
That statistic matters because Barcelona are missing several experienced defenders.
Lucas Boyé, Toni Martínez and Mariano provide potential aerial or physical threats inside the penalty area.
Meanwhile, players such as Ángel Pérez and Abde Rebbach can create danger from wider positions.
If Barcelona allow Alavés to deliver crosses without pressure, the visitors may generate opportunities even with limited possession.
The responsibility therefore extends beyond Cubarsí and Martín.
Barcelona’s wingers and midfielders must help prevent deliveries into the box, while their defenders need to maintain close marking.
The importance of defensive transitions
A second area of concern is what happens when Barcelona lose the ball.
Flick’s team frequently commit players forward, leaving space behind the defensive line.
Alavés could attempt to exploit that space through direct passes toward Boyé and Mariano.
Barcelona must react immediately after losing possession.
Rodri’s positioning, the full-backs’ decision-making and the communication between the central defenders will be crucial.
If the hosts regain the ball quickly, they can keep Alavés under sustained pressure.
If their counter-pressing fails, they risk exposing an already depleted defence.
The tactical challenge is clear: Barcelona must attack confidently without becoming careless.
6. Manager and Player Insights: Flick Demands a Response
Hansi Flick addressed the media on Friday, October 30, and made it clear that Barcelona must react positively to their recent setbacks.
The German manager stressed that the immediate priority is returning to winning ways.
He expressed confidence in his players, highlighting the positive atmosphere in training and the importance of learning from defeats.
Flick also acknowledged the difficulties involved in facing Alavés, describing the visitors as a disciplined defensive side.
His message centred on showing Barcelona’s best qualities rather than allowing recent disappointments to influence the team’s confidence.
Defensive responsibility belongs to everyone
One of Flick’s most important observations concerned the entire team’s responsibility when defending.
Rather than blaming individual defenders, the Barcelona manager emphasised the need for concentration, stronger collective organisation and fewer unnecessary losses of possession.
This is particularly relevant after the defeats against PSG and Real Madrid.
With several defenders injured, the midfield and attacking players must contribute to protecting the back line.
Flick also praised academy defender Brian Fariñas, identifying him as a possible option at full-back.
His comments suggest that the coaching staff are considering different solutions to Barcelona’s defensive shortage.
Sánchez Flores believes Alavés can compete
Alavés manager Quique Sánchez Flores has approached the fixture with ambition despite his team’s disappointing recent results.
In his pre-match comments, he acknowledged Barcelona’s quality while emphasising the importance of limiting opportunities and making intelligent decisions.
The Alavés coach believes his players have reasons to trust their abilities.
His experience in Spanish football should not be underestimated.
Sánchez Flores has previously managed several LaLiga clubs and understands the challenges involved in facing Barcelona away from home.
Another interesting statistic adds significance to Saturday’s contest.
Victory would represent Hansi Flick’s 100th win as Barcelona manager.
Achieving that milestone at Camp Nou would provide another reason for the hosts to celebrate.
7. Broadcast Information: Where to Watch Barcelona vs Alavés
Barcelona supporters around the world will have several official viewing options, depending on their country.
The game kicks off at 9:00 PM in Barcelona on Saturday, October 31.
TV and streaming guide
| Country or region | Broadcaster or platform |
|---|---|
| Spain | Movistar / DAZN |
| United States | ESPN |
| United Kingdom and Ireland | Premier Sports / Disney+ |
| Saudi Arabia and Middle East | beIN SPORTS |
| Canada | TSN / RDS |
| France | DAZN / Disney+ |
| Germany | DAZN |
| Netherlands | Ziggo Sport |
| Australia | beIN SPORTS |
| India | FanCode |
These are broadcasters listed in FC Barcelona’s international guide for the 2026/27 season. Availability for this specific match may vary, so supporters should check their local schedules.
Fans who cannot watch the game live can follow official minute-by-minute updates through FC Barcelona’s website and mobile application.
The club also provides match build-up and commentary through Barça Live on Barça Play and its official YouTube channel.
These services should not be confused with a free live video broadcast of the full match.
Barcelona vs Alavés Prediction: Can Flick’s Side Return to Winning Ways?
Barcelona are the deserved favourites because of their attacking quality, home advantage and outstanding overall league record.
Their 40 goals in 10 LaLiga fixtures demonstrate how dangerous they can be when their attacking combinations are functioning properly.
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha offer individual quality, while Pedri and Fermín López can create opportunities through movement and passing.
Nevertheless, the visitors have reasons for optimism.
Alavés have conceded only 11 league goals, the same number as Barcelona, and their emphasis on crossing could trouble the hosts’ weakened defensive unit.
The visitors may also benefit if Barcelona become frustrated or commit too many players forward.
The opening goal could be particularly significant.
If Barcelona score early, Alavés may be forced to abandon their defensive approach and leave more space for the home side’s attackers.
If the game remains goalless deep into the second half, the pressure could increase on Flick’s players.
Our prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Deportivo Alavés
Barcelona should possess enough attacking quality to overcome their opponents, although a clean sheet cannot be taken for granted.
The hosts are expected to dominate possession, create more chances and ultimately secure a valuable victory.
However, they must remain alert to counterattacks, set pieces and deliveries into the penalty area.
What’s Next for Barcelona?
Saturday’s match begins an important sequence of fixtures before the November international break.
Barcelona host Aston Villa in the Champions League on Tuesday, November 3, before travelling to face Atlético Madrid in LaLiga on Sunday, November 8.
Those fixtures will provide a more demanding examination of the team’s defensive structure, squad depth and mentality.
A convincing win against Alavés could help Barcelona rebuild confidence before facing stronger opposition.
Another disappointing result, however, would increase pressure on Flick and potentially complicate the title race.
Managing player workloads will therefore be especially important.
The coaching staff must balance the immediate need for three points with the longer-term challenge of keeping the squad competitive across multiple competitions.
Final Verdict: A Must-Win Opportunity at Camp Nou
Barcelona’s season should not be judged solely on two defeats.
Their nine victories from the opening 10 league matches demonstrate the quality and consistency they have shown throughout the campaign.
Yet expectations at a club of Barcelona’s stature are understandably high.
Supporters will want to see more than a victory against Alavés. They will expect a performance built on intensity, intelligent attacking football and improved defensive organisation.
For the visitors, this represents an opportunity to end a difficult run and demonstrate that their strong beginning to the season was no coincidence.
Alavés have the defensive discipline and attacking tools to create problems, especially against Barcelona’s injury-hit back line.
Ultimately, however, the responsibility lies with Flick’s side to impose their football.
Three points would keep the Blaugrana in a strong position in LaLiga, restore momentum and potentially deliver their manager a memorable 100th victory.
The stage is set for an important Saturday night at Spotify Camp Nou. Barcelona need a response, and their supporters will expect nothing less than maximum commitment.
Visca Barça!
