Lewandowski Feasts Again as Barca Brace for Alavés and a Set-Piece Gauntlet

Head-to-Head and Form

Barcelona host Deportivo Alavés on Saturday evening, in a match that on paper tilts toward the Catalans despite Alavés' struggles away from home against the big teams in La Liga.

For both sides, the contest matters: Barca want to reclaim top spot from Real Madrid, while Alavés seek a positive result to stop a slump.

Barcelona's record against Alavés has been stratospheric since a rare 1-2 loss in September 2016. In 15 Liga meetings since, Barca have won 13 and drawn two, the best ongoing streak Barca hold against any opponent.

That dominance underscores the gap in quality and depth; it's hard for Alavés to secure a positive result at the Camp Nou or even on their visits to Barcelona.

Data, Trends and Threats

Alavés' away record against Barcelona is not encouraging: 19 visits, 15 losses (79%). Only Real Madrid fared worse on visits (17 losses in 19, 89.5%).

These figures frame a tough task for coach Eduardo Codet, who will have to craft a plan to avoid the expected Barca siege.

Barça's home dominance is evident: Barca have scored in 18 of 19 home Liga games against Alavés, netting 57 goals in those fixtures; only a February 2000 0-1 defeat during the Louis van Gaal era remains a blot on the record.

Stars, Set-Pieces and Final Angles

Barça's early momentum continues: 10 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses in the first 13 rounds, signaling a strong revival under Hansi Flick.

The seasons that began with 11 straight wins each ended with league titles; this season's pace is slightly behind but still promising for Barca fans.

Alavés arrive in a difficult spell, having lost their last two La Liga matches and fearing a third in a row—their longest winless run since late 2024. They remain dangerous from set-pieces.

Lewandowski remains Barca's clear threat, with 7 goals in 4 Liga meetings against Alavés, making him one of his most comfortable foes in Spain.

Toni Martínez has proven a physical force for Alavés, leading in duels and providing a valuable counterweight to Barca's defense.

Eduardo Codet, who faced Barça five times as Celta Vigo boss, has one win and one draw in those meetings; his lone win came in May 2021 (Celta Vigo 1-2), a game notable for Messi's last La Liga goal before his move to PSG.

Punchlines: If football were a sniper competition, Lewandowski would be dubbed the headshot king—every time the ball meets the net, it's a bullseye. And if Alavés' set-pieces are a convoy, the ball is the lead and Barca's defense is the sharpshooter—quiet, precise, and always aimed at zero net.