Match Preview

We’re back to club football in Spain as Real Madrid travel to Vitoria-Gasteiz on Nov. 30 to take on Deportivo Alaves.

The last time Zinedine Zidane’s men went to Mendizorrotza Stadium, they walked away with a 1-0 loss thanks to Manu Garcia scoring a 90+5 minute winner.

This will be the first matchup between the two teams this season and both teams have been in good form recently. Alaves have two wins, two losses and one draw (against Atletico Madrid) while Real have three wins, one draw and one loss.

Los Blancos are tied at the top of the table with Barcelona (28 points) while Alaves sit in thirteenth place with 18.

Injuries/Suspensions

Nacho, Marco Asensio, James Rodriguez, and Lucas Vazquez are all out with injuries. Eden Hazard and Raphael Varane are also out having picked up an injuries against PSG.

Brahim Diaz is another to not be named to the 19-man squad but Vinicius Junior is back.

Alaves are at full strength and neither club have players unavailable due to suspension.

Potential XIs

Alaves

Fernando Pacheco; Martin Aguirregabiria, Victor Laguardia, Rodrigo Ely, Ruben Duarte; Mubarak Wakaso, Tomas Pina, Manu Garcia; Aleix Vidal, Lucas Perez, Joselu

Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Eder Militao, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Bale, Benzema, Rodrygo

This game would be a good opportunity to have Valverde and Militao gain some more minutes and possibly even have the Uruguayan play a full 90.

Isco, Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior could come in as subs, maybe Luka Jovic too if Real are ahead by a decent score.

Prediction

Alaves—Real Madrid 1-3

Alaves have only conceded two goals at home and rely on scoring in the last third of the game to help them claim any points. Their team, and substitutes, have enough energy to push opponents to the full 90 which will be a test for Real.

Karim Benzema has been in great form lately for both La Liga and UEFA Champions League fixtures so he will look to bag more goals himself. Wouldn’t be surprised in he scored more than one.

It will be important for the defence, Casemiro and Valverde to watch how Joselu and Lucas Perez move if they play. The two have a combined 13 goals for the club this season.

With Barcelona traveling to Madrid to play against Atletico Madrid, Real need to find a way to capitalize on this match and claim all three points if they want to stay at the top alongside their rivals. A mishap for Barca could see Real Madrid sit in first all on their own.