Alavés meet Málaga in Spanish La Liga on Friday 23 October 2026, with the hosts seventh in the table on 12 points and the visitors bottom on five, according to BBC's match statistics and head-to-head page. BBC lists Alavés on three wins, three draws and four defeats from ten matches, while Málaga have drawn five and lost five of their ten without a victory. The fixture pits a mid-table side against a club still waiting for its first league win of the campaign.
Why it matters
The gap between the two clubs is seven points after ten rounds, and BBC's table places them at opposite ends of the division. Alavés sit just outside the European places, one point behind sixth-placed Sevilla on 14. Málaga occupy the twentieth and final position on five points, inside the relegation zone that BBC marks for positions 18 to 20. For the hosts, the match is a chance to build on a solid start; for Málaga, every fixture is now a chance to end a winless run that has defined their season so far.
Alavés's mixed form under Quique Sánchez Flores
BBC's form guide, which lists each club's last six results oldest first, shows Alavés opening that stretch with a win before four defeats and a draw. Their most recent outing was a loss. Despite that sequence, the club's overall record of three wins, three draws and four losses has kept them in seventh, helped by a goal difference of plus three from 13 scored and 10 conceded.
Quique Sánchez Flores is named by BBC as Alavés's manager. His starting lineup lists Antonio Sivera in goal behind a back line of Nahuel Tenaglia, Valentin Koski and Nahuel Valentini, with Ángel Pérez and Abde Rebbach as wing backs. Antonio Blanco captains the side in midfield alongside Carles Aleñá and Pablo Ibáñez. Mariano Díaz and Lucas Boyé are named as the two strikers.
The bench offers Sánchez Flores a range of options, according to BBC's team sheet: César Protesoni, Jonny Otto, Sikou Diallo, Yannick Enríquez, Toni Martínez, Aitor Mañas, Rubén Montero, Hugo Novoa, Xanet Oláiz, Adrián Rodríguez, Miguel Rodríguez and Denis Suárez. BBC's live text also records an early attempt from Tenaglia, a right-footed effort from outside the area that went wide to the left.
Málaga's winless start and the shape of their squad
Málaga's ten matches have produced five draws and five defeats, with six goals scored and 18 conceded for a goal difference of minus twelve. BBC's form line for the club shows two draws followed by two losses, then a draw and a loss. The manager is listed only as Funes.
Alfonso Herrero starts in goal. Rafita, Einar Galilea, Ángel Recio and Carlos Puga make up the defence, with Ramón Enríquez captaining from defensive midfield. A. Aznou, Dani Lorenzo, Carlos Dotor and David Larrubia are named across the midfield, and Adrián Niño leads the line as the lone striker.
The substitutes listed by BBC are H. Abaida, Juan Berrocal, J. Cajuste, Fernando Calero, Juani, Eneko Jauregi, Carlos López, Izan Merino, Álex Pastor, Rafa Rodríguez, Chupe and José Salinas.
The wider table on Friday night
BBC's standings, last updated at 20:00 on 23 October 2026, show Barcelona top with a perfect record: nine wins from nine, 39 goals scored and nine conceded, for 27 points. Atlético Madrid are second on 22 and Real Madrid third on 21. Real Betis sit fourth on 19 and Real Sociedad fifth on 16, with Sevilla sixth on 14.
Below Alavés, Celta Vigo and Deportivo de A Coruña are level on 11 points, separated by goal difference, with Osasuna also on 11. Levante have 10, while Villarreal, Athletic Club, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe are all on nine. Espanyol and Racing de Santander have eight, Elche seven and Valencia six, with Málaga last on five.
BBC notes that its table uses a different number of games for some clubs: Alavés and Málaga have both played ten, while Barcelona, Atlético, Real Madrid, Betis, Real Sociedad, Sevilla, Celta, Deportivo, Osasuna, Levante, Villarreal, Getafe, Espanyol, Racing, Elche and Valencia have played nine. Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano have played eight.
The same table marks the top four places as UEFA Champions League spots, fifth as a Europa League place and sixth as a Conference League qualifying place, with 18th to 20th shown as relegation.
What to watch
The result will shape both ends of the table: Alavés can close on the European places with a win, while Málaga will be looking to move off the bottom and claim a first victory of the season.
