Racing Santander vs Alaves - La Liga

The La Liga returns to the home ground on September 12, 2026, where Racing Santander and Alaves will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. There are just three weeks to go in the transfer window and City face more transfer questions than answers ahead of the new campaign.

A glance at the La Liga table tells the story: Racing Santander in 10th and Alaves in 3rd, with positions to defend and places to climb. It has been a solid if unspectacular run for the hosts — W across their last five with a win rate of 40% — and they will want to push on from here. Few sides travel as well as the visitors, with L in their last five and a win rate of 60% marking them out as a class apart. Goals could be in short supply or plentiful — Racing Santander average 1.8 per game to Alaves's 2.2, and that gap may dictate the rhythm of the contest. Carrick spoke to the media before his captain was seen limping, but did explain why he didn't take him off despite the commanding position his team were in.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Racing Santander 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. It meant City had a three-man defence of Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Ruben Dias when in possession.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Another player reportedly of interest is Everton forward Iliman N'Diaye, while United, according to reports from France, have also made contact with Paris Saint-Germain over Ibrahim Mbaye.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. Alaves look well-equipped to take the points on the road, with a 2-3 victory well within their reach. Whatever the outcome, the La Liga fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Fulham's Antonee Robinson could be one of those, who would likely be a cheaper alternative to Hall, who has just enjoyed a breakout season with the Magpies.