Racing Santander vs Alaves Prediction & Betting Tips (12 September)

Racing Santander welcome high-flying Deportivo Alavés to Estadio El Sardinero on 12 September 2026, in one of the most intriguing fixtures of LaLiga Matchday 5. The newly promoted hosts sit 12th with four points from their opening four games, while Quique Sánchez Flores' Alavés arrive in stunning form, sitting 2nd in the table with ten points and an unbeaten record of three wins and a draw. The two sides already met this summer in a friendly that ended 1-1 before Alavés prevailed on penalties, so both teams know each other well heading into this league encounter.

Recent form tells the story of two contrasting starts to the 2026/2027 season. Racing have been involved in goal-filled contests, falling to a narrow 3-2 defeat at Rayo Vallecano last weekend after edging Elche 3-2 at home on matchday two. Alavés, meanwhile, have been one of the surprise packages of the campaign, hammering Osasuna 5-2 at Mendizorrotza on matchday four and grinding out a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Rayo in August, showcasing both attacking firepower and defensive resilience.

Team news for the 2026/2027 squads sees Racing without defender Pedro Felipe and forward Giorgi Guliashvili through injury, with José Alberto López expected to field a 4-4-2 built around Agirrezabala in goal, Mantilla and Manu in central defence, Iñigo Vicente pulling the strings in midfield, and Juan Carlos Arana and Yeremay Hernández leading the line. Alavés travel without the suspended Facundo Garcés and injured forward Lucas Boyé, so Antonio Sivera should start behind a five-man defence featuring Tenaglia, Koski and Jonny Otto, with Pablo Ibáñez and Antonio Blanco anchoring midfield behind Toni Martínez as the focal point of attack.

The European odds reflect how tight this contest promises to be, with Racing Santander priced around 2.40 to win, the draw at approximately 3.50, and an Alavés victory at roughly 2.80, while both teams to score sits near 1.62. Despite the visitors' superior start to the season, El Sardinero is a notoriously difficult venue for travelling sides, and Racing's attacking intent at home — combined with Alavés' defensive absences — points toward an open, entertaining affair. Our prediction: Racing Santander 2-1 Alavés, with the home crowd roaring their side to a statement win over one of LaLiga's early-season pacesett