Preview:Villarreal vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

In-form Villarreal welcome Alaves to Estadio de la Ceramica looking to pick up a fifth consecutive win across all competitions.

Meanwhile, the away side have failed to come out on top in any of their last four outings and will aim to put an end to this barren run of results.

Match preview

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Villarreal recorded their first away league victory of the campaign on Saturday courtesy of a 3-1 triumph over Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.

Unai Emery's men went behind to Alexander Isak's 32nd-minute opener but drew level six minutes later through Gerard Moreno before second-half strikes from the aforementioned Moreno and Samuel Chukwueze completed the turnaround.

The Yellow Submarine are 11th in the table at the moment having amassed maximum points from each of their last two league matches.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit against against whom they have a mixed record in recent seasons with the last eight meetings yielding four wins apiece for either side.

Seeking to round up the year in style, Tuesday's hosts have an opportunity to climb into the top half of La Liga standings by securing all three points in this one.

Alaves were beaten for the third away game running following a 2-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

First-half goals from Sergio Guardiola and Alejandro Catena put Javier Calleja's men to the sword at Estadio de Vallecas.

Consequently, Babazorros El Glorioso have now slipped into the relegation zone albeit only on goal difference as the season approaches its midway point.

Tuesday's hosts, who have only managed one away league win all-season long, are now faced with another stern test on the road against one of the league's hotshots.

Team News

Thirty-year-old Ruben Pena will not feature for the home side as he continues to nurse a shoulder injury.

Villarreal will also be without the services of Francis Coquelin, who remains sidelined with an achilles tendon injury.

Samuel Chukwueze has found the back of the net four times in his last six appearances and is one to keep an eye on.

Ximo Navarro is set to sit out a 10th consecutive game due to a knee injury which he picked up in a 1-1 draw versus Barcelona in October.

The involvement of Tomas Pina is still uncertain as he is yet to fully recuperate from a muscle problem.

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Estupinan, Torres, Albiol, Foyth; Moreno, Parejo, Capoue, Chukwueze; Dia, Moreno

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Pacheco; Duarte, Laguardia, Tachi, Martin; Ndiaye, Moya, Pons; Rioja, Joselu, De la Fuente

We say: Villarreal 2-1 Alaves

Villarreal have struggled on home turf this term while Alaves have been abysmal on their travels. We expect a tightly-contested affair with a narrow victory for the hosts come the full-time whistle.