Before we even talk football, a word on the sideshow. During Barcelona’s open-top title parade on Monday, an injured Lamine Yamal decided to wave a Palestinian flag at the crowds while wearing a shirt reading “Thank God I’m not a Madridista.” His manager, Hansi Flick, was asked about it at the pre-match press conference and was about as enthusiastic as a man who’d just stepped on a plug. “These are things I generally don’t like,” he said flatly, though he stopped short of telling the teenager off, noting, with visible weariness, that Yamal is 18 and old enough to own his decisions.
What’s at Stake for Both Sides
Barcelona arrive in the Basque Country as champions, having wrapped up the title with a composed 2–0 win over Real Madrid on Sunday. The question now is purely aesthetic: can they finish the season on 100 points, which would put them in genuinely historic company? Three games remain, three wins needed. It’s a noble chase, even if the dressing room still smells of cava.
Lewandowski is a Catalan now. 💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/u3mi6Bn0yY
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 11, 2026
For Alavés, the stakes couldn’t be more different. They sit 18th in the table with 37 points, one behind the safety line, with a congested pack of clubs breathing down their necks. Their recent form has been dreadful, just one win in their last six matches, and a side still fighting for survival at this stage of the season will bring an energy to Mendizorrotza that the champions, mid-hangover from their parade, might find difficult to match.
Team News, Key Players and What the Odds Say
Flick will rotate heavily, and he’s already missing several first-teamers. Lamine Yamal is sidelined for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, Raphinha is suspended after picking up one yellow card too many, and Marc-André ter Stegen remains unavailable. On the plus side, Robert Lewandowski is in fine fettle; the Polish has scored seven goals in his last five appearances against Alavés alone, which is the sort of statistic that keeps home defenders awake at night. But it seems like Barcelona won’t renew Lewa’s contract by the end of the season; Ferran and Fermín did the job anyway.
For Alavés, striker Antonio Martínez is a doubt, which is particularly untimely given he’s scored in each of his last seven La Liga games. Former Barcelona man Carles Aleñà returns from suspension and faces his old club, always good for a bit of added subplot.
The bookmakers have Barcelona as clear favourites, and statistically the visitors are hard to argue with: unbeaten in 17 consecutive meetings with Alavés, and winners of six straight La Liga encounters against them. That said, the smart money on an entertaining, open game feels well-placed — Alavés have shipped goals freely this season, Barcelona love to score, and the hosts will throw absolutely everything at this one.
Alavés predicted lineup: Sivera – Pérez, Tenaglia, Jonny Otto, Parada, Yusi – Ibáñez, Blanco, Aleñà – Diabaté, Martínez
Barcelona predicted lineup: Joan García – Balde, E. Garcia, Gerard Martín, Koundé – Gavi, Pedri – Roony Bardghji, Bernal, Rashford – Lewandowski
Our Verdict
Barcelona should win, and probably will. But “should” has a nasty habit of meeting “motivation” in a tight ground on a Wednesday night. If Flick’s rotated side shows up half-distracted, Alavés – desperate, loud and playing for their lives – could make this very uncomfortable indeed. The most likely outcome is a Barça win in a goal-heavy match, though don’t rule out the hosts nicking something if the champions’ minds are still somewhere on Las Ramblas.
Best bet: Barcelona win + both teams to score. Not glamorous, but it fits the occasion perfectly.
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