Alaves welcome Basque rivals Real Sociedad to the Mendisorozza Stadium on Wednesday night, as both sides battle for a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Real Sociedad have won this competition twice, their last success coming in the 2019-20 season, while Alaves have reached the final once before (2017).

match preview

Alavés’ only appearance in a Copa del Rey final was against Barcelona in the 2016-17 season, where they lost 3-1 to the Catalan team.

The Blue & Whites therefore want to make history this season as they aim for the first-ever Copa del Rey title, and they achieved an impressive performance in the 2025-26 tournament by winning four matches to reach this stage.

In fact, Eduardo Coude’s team defeated Deportivo Getxo, Portugalete, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano to reach the quarter-finals.

Alaves come into this match on the back of an impressive run of form, having defeated Espanyol 2-1 in La Liga, completing a string of successes in Spain’s top flight.

The Basque outfit is currently in 10th place. la liga standingsonly three points behind eighth-placed Real Sociedad, and it is shaping up to be an interesting battle in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

© Imago

Real Sociedad come into the game coming off a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby, but they came very close to picking up three points.

Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side led 1-0 until the 88th minute, when Iñigo Luis de Galarreta equalized. However, La Real are currently undefeated in their last eight competitive matches dating back to December 12th.

As mentioned above, Real Sociedad are currently in 8th place in La Liga, 6 points behind 6th place Espanyol, and are aiming to win the Copa del Rey trophy for the third time in their history this season.

La Real won the competition in the 1986-87 and 2019-20 seasons, and have reached four more finals, but their overall performance in the tournament has been disappointing considering their stature.

In fact, Real Sociedad have lost their last three games against Alaves, including a 1-0 comeback in La Liga in December.

Alaves Copa del Rey results:

WWWW

Alavés form (all matches):

DLWWWW

Real Sociedad Copa del Rey results:

WWWW

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

DWWWW

team news

© Imago

Alaves will continue to be without Nicolas Maras due to a long-term knee injury, while Denis Suarez is unlikely to feature due to a muscular problem.

Toni Martínez and Lucas Boé were excellent as the front two in the last win over Espanyol and the pair should continue in the final third of the field.

However, changes are expected elsewhere, with Jussi likely to be used at left-back, with Jon Griddy and Abde Rebach also likely to be included in the XI.

Real Sociedad will be without Ander Valencia, Takefusa Kubo, Arsen Zaharian, Inaki Luperez and Unai Marrero due to injury.

Duje Caleta-Cal will return to the squad after serving a suspension for Sunday’s game against Athletic Bilbao, while Bryce Mendes is suspended for his red card in the Basque derby.

Matarazzo is expected to keep most of the players who took to the field at the first whistle against Athletic Bilbao, although Oli Óskalson could be given a spot in the final third of the field.

Alavés’ expected starting lineup:

Fernández; Tenaglia, Protesoni, Pacheco, Jussi. Kalebe, Gridi, Guevara, Rebach. Boi Martinez

Real Sociedad’s projected starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Zuberdia, Gomez. Guedes, Gorochategui, Soler, Marin. Oyarzabal, Oscarson

We say: Alaves 2-1 Real Sociedad

This is a very difficult match to judge and it would not be surprising if Real Sociedad qualify for the semi-finals. However, Alavés have performed well in their last two games and believe the home side could win a close game here.

Click here for data analysis including the most likely outcome, scoreline and more for this match.