As La Liga approaches its thrilling finale, all eyes turn to the Estadio de Mendizorroza this Wednesday for a crucial Round 36 clash between relegation-threatened Alavés and league leaders Barcelona.

Alavés find themselves in a precarious 18th position with 37 points, desperately fighting to escape the drop zone. Their recent form has been mixed, with Quique Flores' men managing only a 1-1 draw against Elche in their last outing. The home side will be looking to capitalize on their fortress, though recent results at Mendizorroza have been concerning—they've managed just one win in their last seven home matches. However, there's a glimmer of hope: Alavés have found the back of the net in five consecutive home games, though their defense has been equally generous, conceding in eight straight home fixtures.

At the opposite end of the table, Barcelona are cruising with an impressive 91 points, sitting comfortably in first place. Hansi Flick's squad comes into this match on a high after a statement 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid. The Catalans have been nearly invincible, suffering just one defeat in their last 16 matches across all competitions. Their away form is particularly daunting for Alavés—Barcelona are unbeaten in six road games, winning their last four consecutively.

History heavily favors the visitors. The last meeting between these sides ended in a dominant 3-1 Barcelona victory, and Flick's personal record against Alavés is spotless, with three wins from three encounters. Meanwhile, Flores has faced Barcelona 18 times in his managerial career, managing just three wins against ten defeats.

For Alavés, expect Antonio Sivera to start in goal, with a backline featuring Ángel Pérez, Nahuel Tenaglia, and Jonny Otto. The midfield will be anchored by Antonio Blanco and Jon Guridi, while Toni Martínez and Ibrahim Diabaté lead the attack.

Barcelona will likely field Joan Garcia between the sticks, protected by Eric García, Gerard Martín, Pau Cubarsí, and João Cancelo. The midfield engine room boasts Pablo Gavi and Pedri González, while Marcus Rashford, Dani Olmo, Fermín López, and Ferrán Torres provide attacking firepower.

With Barcelona's relentless momentum and Alavés' urgent need for points, this promises to be a fascinating tactical battle. Can the hosts defy the odds and pull off a shock result, or will the league leaders continue their march toward the title?