Oviedo vs Alaves - La Liga

Tactical intrigue takes centre stage on May 17, 2026 as Oviedo and Alaves prepare to square off at the home ground, with both managers known for their strategic nuance in the La Liga. He experienced victory in his only Old Firm appearance as a Gers player, but Sunday will be his first taste of the fixture in the dugout.

Both Oviedo and Alaves will be eager to build momentum when they meet in La Liga. Oviedo's recent form is difficult to quantify, but the occasion itself should bring the best out of them. Alaves travel in decent nick, LL in their last five and a win rate of 50% this season. If the recent winter window is anything to go off, meanwhile, United are once again unlikely to spend big for reinforcement half-way through the season.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Oviedo may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Alaves have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. Andoni Iraola, like Luis Enrique, is a coach who demands that his players press high.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Arsenal have signed midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle in a £75m transfer.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 2-2 draw feels like a fitting result. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.