Deportivo Alavés and Real Oviedo open 2026 in the Basque football cauldron
The first weekend of the new year in Spain brings a match that is much more than “just another round” of LaLiga: the duel between Deportivo Alavés – Real Oviedo as part of the 18th round of the 2025/2026 season is played on January 4th at 18:30 at the Mendizorrotza stadium, at the address Paseo de Cervantes, s/n, in Vitoria-Gasteiz. It is a clash between the Basque host, who is stabilizing in the middle of the table, and the returnee to the elite rank, Real Oviedo, who in their first top-flight season after more than two decades is escaping the danger zone. Fans of both clubs, as well as neutral LaLiga lovers, have had this date circled in their calendars for weeks, as it is a duel that can direct their ambitions for the rest of the season. In addition to all that, Mendizorrotza is a compact, noisy stadium with fewer than twenty thousand seats, which means that interest for every match is huge and tickets are planned on time. Whoever wants to start the new year in a real football atmosphere should already be thinking about how to secure tickets for this event and get ready to click on the button marked “” as soon as the final ticket purchase begins.
Stakes in LaLiga: Alavés seeks peace, Oviedo escape from the bottom
LaLiga 2025/2026 has already entered its serious phase, and every new round further intensifies the fight on the table, both at the top and at the bottom. After 16 played matches, Deportivo Alavés is holding in the lower part of the middle of the table, around 12th place, with 18 points and a goal difference of 14:17, which confirms that the team under the expert leadership of Eduardo Coudet is mostly doing a solid job on the way to the safety zone. Real Oviedo, one of the newcomers in the league together with Levante and Elche, is located significantly lower – around the 19th position with only 10 points and a modest attacking performance of seven goals scored with as many as 26 conceded, which keeps them in the company of main candidates for relegation to LaLiga 2. A table set up like this makes the duel in Vitoria a match of double stakes: it offers the host an escape towards calmer waters, while it gives the guests from Asturias a rare opportunity to significantly improve their position with one away surprise. When we add to this that the average number of goals in this LaLiga season is around two and a half per match, it is clear that a duel awaits the fans in which every point is worth gold, so tickets for this encounter are one of the most sought-after goods at the beginning of January.
Home Alavés: Coudet’s intensity, work ethic and reliance on Mendizorrotza
Deportivo Alavés enters the 2025/2026 season with the clear signature of coach Eduardo Coudet, who took over the team the previous season and stabilized it in top-flight company. His handwriting is visible in emphasized discipline without the ball, aggressive pressure in the middle of the pitch and fast transition forward, where players like Lucas Boyé and Carlos Vicente stand out, while creativity in the midfield line is brought by players of the profile of Carles Aleñà and Ander Guevara. Statistics show that Alavés at home often plays tough, but substantial encounters, with a relatively high percentage of matches over 2.5 goals, whereby they often score first and use the support of the stands to keep the lead. Defensively, the team knows how to endure pressure, but at Mendizorrotza they rarely remain in a subordinate role for long, which makes them an extremely unpleasant host for all opponents, and not just for a newcomer like Oviedo. Precisely because of this, it is expected that home fans will sell out a large part of the ticket contingent as soon as ticket sales are in full swing, because this is the type of match in which the “Babazorros” can detach further from the rear and breathe more calmly in the rest of the season.
Real Oviedo: return to the elite and fight for survival
For Real Oviedo, the 2025/2026 season is historic in many ways: the club celebrates its 100th season of existence and it is the first year back in LaLiga after the 2000/2001 season, which in itself intensifies the emotional charge of every match. The team entered the championship with the ambition to stay in the elite, but results so far confirm that adaptation to the higher rhythm of the Spanish first league is a difficult process. The squad is assembled interestingly, with experienced names like Santi Cazorla in the midfield and Leander Dendoncker, who is currently also the team's top scorer in the league, and defensive reinforcements like Eric Bailly and Nacho Vidal. Also very important is the competition in the goalkeeping line, where representative goalkeeper Horațiu Moldovan was brought in, to strengthen security in defense. During the autumn, the club also experienced a change on the bench, so after the start of the season under Veljko Paunović, from October the job was taken over by Luis Carrión, who is trying to balance ambition and reality and extract the maximum from a team that is still learning to live with the pressure of first-league everyday life. Precisely because of this, this match is an opportunity for the returnee to the elite to show that they did not come to Vitoria just to defend themselves, but also to seek points, for which their fans will also want to secure tickets and the role of loud support from the away sector.
History of mutual duels: fresh traces from the Segunda
Although Alavés and Real Oviedo do not count among the classic great rivalries of Spanish football, their mutual history still offers interesting context ahead of this first-league showdown. The last time they met was in the 2022/2023 season in LaLiga 2, when each club celebrated once – Alavés won 2:1 in Vitoria, while Oviedo retaliated with a minimal 1:0 victory on their home ground, which suggests a relatively balanced relationship of forces. Wider statistics of mutual matches, tracked on specialized portals, confirm that in duels of these teams the play is often tough and with a limited number of goals, but also that Alavés leans slightly towards a more successful performance, with somewhat more victories in the last mutual clashes. Ahead of the new encounter, analytical sites also note that the probability that the match will go into an outcome with more than two goals is moderate, but not negligible, because Alavés on their turf has a habit of opening the game when they take the lead. Precisely because of this, this duel seems like an ideal terrain for neutral fans who want to see a tense match in which the historical balance does not dictate a clear favorite in advance. Due to the limited capacity of the stadium and the potential arrival of away fans from Asturias, tickets for this duel will logically be more sought after, and those who want to witness a new chapter of this ratio directly should plan the purchase of tickets on time.
Tactical key: Alavés’s toughness versus Oviedo’s cautious structure
Analysis of statistical trends and styles of play shows that the tactical key of the match could lie in the way Oviedo will cope with the intensity that Alavés imposes in front of their audience. The host has a respectable percentage of matches at Mendizorrotza in which they reach a goal first, and in a good part of those encounters they manage to keep the lead, which points to the fact that Coudet’s team copes very well with managing the result and controlling the rhythm of the encounter. On the other hand, Oviedo in the part of the championship so far has a modest number of goals scored, which is also seen in their goal difference of 7:26, so they are often forced to defend low and wait for an opportunity from set-pieces or fast transition. Statistics of mutual and this season's matches also say that Alavés matches are more often over 2.5 goals than Oviedo's, but that simultaneously the guests know how to keep the opponent to a low number of goals when their defensive block functions. In practice, this could mean that we will see Alavés trying to close down Oviedo's exit ball with high pressure and forcing crosses and shots from outside, while the guests will seek exits through Dendoncker, Cazorla or wingers like Josip Brekalo. Spectators who secure tickets will have the opportunity to follow precisely that chess duel in the middle of the pitch from close up, in which one moment of inspiration could decide the whole encounter.
Mendizorrotza: one of the oldest and most intimate stadiums in LaLiga
Mendizorrotza Stadium, officially named Campo de Fútbol de Mendizorrotza, was opened in 1924 and is one of the oldest active stadiums in Spanish professional football, with a capacity of around 19,800 seats arranged around a pitch of dimensions 105 x 68 meters. During its history, it has experienced multiple reconstructions, including a significant expansion in 1998, when the corners of the stands were closed and the stadium was given today's compact form that brings spectators closer to events on the field. Located along the Paseo de Cervantes, in a quieter part of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Mendizorrotza is a symbol of local identity, a place where generations of Alavés fans have been gathering for a hundred years already, and in recent times projects for further modernization and capacity increase are also being considered. Precisely that combination of tradition and immediate proximity to the field makes every ticket especially valuable – fans feel every duel, every sliding tackle and every sigh from the stands as part of a shared experience. If you plan to combine arrival at the match with a weekend in the Basque Country, it is worth checking accommodation offers in the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz on time, because for the days when Alavés plays, an extra bed is sought in hotels and apartments around the stadium.
Vitoria-Gasteiz: green Basque jewel ideal for a football trip
Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country since 1980, is an ideal backdrop for a football weekend, because it combines rich medieval heritage and contemporary urban development. The old town has retained the characteristic “almond” layout, with narrow streets that climb towards the Cathedral of Santa María and numerous palaces and historical buildings that tell a story more than eight centuries long. The city is internationally known also for its green policy – it holds the title of European Green Capital and boasts vast amounts of green areas per inhabitant, as well as a ring of parks that surround the urban center. In the center of the city, at the Virgen Blanca square and surrounding streets, there are bars with a rich offer of Basque pintxos, where Alavés fans and guests from other parts of Spain traditionally start the match day. If you are planning a trip because of this duel, besides securing tickets for the match, consider also an earlier reservation of accommodation and take a look at accommodation for fans on the match day, in order to combine the football experience with discovering one of the most underrated cities in Spain.
Fan interest and ticket sales dynamics for the Alavés – Oviedo duel
Fan interest for this encounter is intensified by the fact that it is played right at the beginning of the year, when many return from holiday travels and look for contents that will reintroduce them to the daily rhythm. For home supporters, the duel with Real Oviedo is attractive because it is about a direct rival from the lower part of the table, against whom key points can be won, while also enjoying an atmosphere that is traditionally one of the liveliest in Basque football. Real Oviedo, as a newcomer in the league and a club with a very loyal fan base, can often count on a group of the most faithful followers who are ready to travel hundreds of kilometers to support the team in the fight for survival, so it is expected that the away sector will also have its blue-and-white core. Considering that the average attendance at LaLiga matches grows from season to season, and stadiums like Mendizorrotza naturally limit the number of available seats with their smaller size, it is completely realistic to expect that tickets for this event will be snapped up long before the very start of the encounter. If you want to welcome the start of 2026 in the stands in the company of thousands of passionate fans, the best advice is to plan the ticket purchase on time and, when it becomes available, use the button marked “” below in order to secure your place without haste.
Rhythm of the match: physical duel, aerial duels and importance of set-pieces
Considering the style of play of both teams and the statistics that follow their performances so far, it is expected that the rhythm of the match will be physically demanding, with a lot of duels in the middle of the pitch and emphasized struggle for first and second balls. Alavés, who are accustomed to playing braver and more vertically at home, often use the width of the pitch and crosses from the wings, so players like Carlos Vicente or Toni Martínez are extremely important in the attack phase, while Lucas Boyé can be a key weapon in the penalty area. Oviedo, who have a more modest attacking performance, rely more on compact defense and discipline in the midfield line, where Dendoncker with his experience and physical strength helps close corridors towards his own goal, while Cazorla and other creative midfielders strive to choose the right moment to go out on the counter. Statistical data show that Oviedo matches are often poor in goals, but also that in certain encounters they knew how to surprise with a more aggressive approach, especially when an early goal would change the dynamics of the encounter. Spectators who will have tickets for this match can expect that set-pieces – free kicks, corners and long throw-ins – will play a very important role, because exactly in those situations differences in height, strength and concentration are most prominently seen, and one well-executed corner can be worth just as much as a perfectly built action from play.
Weather, arrival and practical tips for fans
January in Vitoria-Gasteiz brings cold, but mostly bearable weather conditions, with average daily temperatures around 8–10 °C and night values dropping close to zero, with frequent rainy days and occasional indications of snow. This means that for fans coming to the evening match, the ideal combination is layered clothing, warm jacket, hat and gloves, especially if they plan to arrive earlier and walk through the city before going to the stadium. The city has well-organized public transport, so city buses and trams connect the center with the area around Mendizorrotza, while for those coming by car it is recommended to plan a slightly earlier arrival and check available parking lots in the surrounding streets. In addition, it is worth thinking about arriving a day earlier or staying another night after the match, because Vitoria offers enough content – from touring the medieval core to walking through the green belt of parks – to turn the football trip into a mini-vacation. In such a scenario, after you secure tickets for the encounter, the next logical step is to look at accommodation close to the venue, in order to avoid the rush on the match day and utilize the day maximally relaxed.
Fan experience: family atmosphere, Basque passion and Asturian pride
Mendizorrotza is known for combining two otherwise rarely compatible dimensions: fierce, loud and passionate support of home fans with a family atmosphere in which children, elderly people and neutral spectators also feel without problems. The stands are close enough to the field that every reaction of players and fans is transmitted almost immediately, and the local audience does not forget to pay tribute to guests either, especially when they notice fair play or fighting spirit. Real Oviedo has one of the most loyal fan bases in Spain, so it is not a surprise that their song can often be heard at away games too, which creates an interesting dialogue between Basque and Asturian voices from two sides of the stadium. Precisely that blend of two football cultures makes this duel particularly attractive for neutral observers, groundhoppers and lovers of authentic stadium ambience. For those who perceive tickets for this event as part of a wider journey, additional value is also carried by the possibility to plan the whole weekend with family or friends, with a reminder again that it is good to check accommodation offers for fans in advance, because the real ambience often does not end with the referee’s final whistle, but continues in the city streets, bars and restaurants.
For whom is this duel “must-see” and why tickets should be taken on time
The duel Deportivo Alavés – Real Oviedo in the 18th round of LaLiga 2025/2026 is an ideal choice for several different profiles of fans: for home sympathizers who want to see the continuation of the story about the stabilization of the club under the leadership of Eduardo Coudet, for visiting fans of Oviedo who follow their club in the comeback season in the elite, but also for neutral lovers of Spanish football for whom it is important to see an authentic, passionate stadium and a match with a clear competitive stake. For a returnee to the first league like Oviedo, every point away can be the difference between staying up and returning to the lower rank, while Alavés at this stage of the season counts that exactly in encounters with teams from the bottom of the table key stocks of points are made. In addition, Mendizorrotza as one of the oldest stadiums in the league and Vitoria-Gasteiz as a city with rich history and strong green identity offer content that transcends ninety minutes of play. Therefore, tickets for this encounter are not just entry to the stadium, but also a sort of pass into one of the more interesting stories of the current season, in which history, present and future of two clubs cross. If you want to be part of that story, the smartest move is to follow when ticket purchase for this duel becomes available and then, without delay, click the button marked “” and secure your place in the Basque football cauldron which on January 4th promises passion, emotions and full sporting uncertainty.
Sources:
- LaLiga (official websites of clubs and squads, basic data about the competition and newcomers in the 2025/2026 season)
- Sofascore, 365Scores, Tribuna and related statistical portals (table, form and results of Alavés and Real Oviedo in LaLiga 2025/2026)
- FootballDatabase, ProSoccer, FootyStats, AiScore (detailed statistics, goal differences, trends and mutual ratios of teams)
- Wikipedia, Stadium Guide, World of Stadiums and similar sources (history and characteristics of Mendizorrotza stadium, capacity and location)
- Spain.info, Tourism Euskadi, local and international travel portals (general and tourist data about Vitoria-Gasteiz, old city core and green belt of the city)