Alavés are back in Spain’s top flight after a ten-year absence thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Numancia, securing their place at the top of the Segunda Division table.
In their last season in the top division, Alavés drew at home 0-0 against FC Barcelona, then lost 2-0 at the Camp Nou. However, the last meeting between the two sides was in 2012/13, in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 where six players from the current squad took part in the tie - Alves, Busquets, Iniesta, Mascherano, Bartra and Sergi Roberto. Barça went on to win 3-0 away and 3-1 at the Camp Nou to seal a comfortable progression to the next round.
The Catalans have met the Basque 32 times in total, 22 in the league and ten in the cup. Alavés’ history in the top flight is divided into four spells: from 1930-1933, 1954-1956, 1998-2003 and 2005-06. Barça have won 13, drawn five and lost four. In cup competition, Barça have eight wins and just two defeats.
