Football Season Guide

Alaves proved their doubters wrong by finishing 10th last season, securing a top-half finish after winning promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking under Luis Garcia Plaza. Losing full-backs on either side to their Basque rivals has damaged Alaves' defensive plans, but they have strengthened with promising talents further forward and replaced those who have left in defence with players who know what it takes to play at this level. This team does create chances, only three sides outside the top four generated more expected goals last season, and the return of Asier Villalibre and Stoichkov, who scored 12 in the second tier for Eibar, should help to finish more of those chances. There is room for improvement in their away form. They ranked 15th for form on the road last season, and know that they won't always be able to rely on home form to help them climb the table. Only one other side in LaLiga lost more games and avoided relegation last year. The continuity of Luis Garcia Plaza and his system will be key to integrating his new players, and a smooth start to the fixture list means that he'll be able to build some momentum before the autumn.