Munir El Haddadi and Bojan Krkic make their full debuts for winless Alaves against Villarreal on Sunday, while Alfonso Pedraza faces his parent club.
Alaves boss Luis Zubeldia: “We need to pick up points and have good feelings in our play.
“Competing will come in handy, but we can’t play with the desperation of having to pick up points. Instead, we must look to gain solidity as a team.
“Munir, Bojan and Medran in the starting XI? We need them and it’s a good time to count on them from the beginning,”
Villarreal boss Fran Escriba on the threat posed by his side’s opponents: “They’re very needy and eager to kick-start their season.
“This is a much more complicated match than it may seem. Although our opponents haven’t picked up any points yet, their level is much higher than the table says.
“Alaves have great players, who have played at great teams. They’re s a team that have played Barcelona and their other two away from home, and that always impacts on you.
“We’ve come into this game a bit better, but with the same needs. We want to win our first match away from home and, have a complete game, but it won’t be easy.”
Alaves: Pacheco; Vigaray, Alexis, Ely, Alfonso; Pina, Wakaso, Medran; Ibai, Bojan Munir
Injuries/suspensions: Hector, Laguardia (I)
Villarreal: Barbosa; Rukavina, Alvaro, Ruiz, Costa; Castillejo, Rodri, Trigueros, Fornals; Bacca, Bakambu
Injuries/suspensions: Marin, Andres, Bruno (I)
Referee: Trujillo Suarez
Form guide: Alaves (L L L – -) Villarreal (W L L – -)
Previous meeting: Alaves 2-1 Villarreal
Venue: Mendizorroza (Alaves)
Kick-off time: 11:00 BST/12:00 local time
