Match Preview

Real Madrid play host to Alavés at home on Saturday looking for their first league win in three matches.

Los Blancos have drawn and lost their last two respective matches, with their last win coming at the end of October. Though this isn’t as alarming given the international break giving the club a week off from play between this period. Real have also won back-to-back matches against Inter in the Champions League during this time.

Despite the troubling league form, Real are still fourth in the league table and six points behind league-leading Real Sociedad. They are just three points trailing second.

Alavés find themselves at the opposite end of the league table. They are currently 15th, tied with two other clubs on points. They’ve drawn their last three league matches played.

Historically, Real have played well against Alavés with the club winning 12 of their last 13 LaLiga matches against the Basques. The last time Real lost to Alavés was in 2018. Real also haven’t lost at home to Alavés since 2000.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real have suffered another injury blow ahead of Saturday with Dani Carvajal injured once again. Alvaro Odriozola, Sergio Ramos, Fede Valverde, Luka Jović and Karim Benzema all remain out as well.

Alavés will be without Pere Pons, Burgui and Manu García.

There are no suspensions for Saturday’s match.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Modrić, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Hazard, Mariano

With Carvajal out and leaving Real without a right back again this season, Lucas Vazquez is the most likely to slot back into the vacant starting spot. Eder Militão may still not be ready to start so Nacho is likely needed to fill Ramos’ absence.

With Vazquez at right back this leaves the right win spot open. There’s a chance we see Marco Asensio start against Alavés. Martin Ødegaard is an option to slot in the attack as well. Mariano will likely continue filling in for Benzema.

Alavés

Pacheco; Navarro, Laguardia, Lejeune, Duarte; Méndez, Battaglia, Pina, Jota; Joselu, Pérez

Prediction

Real Madrid—Alavés 2-0

This is a winnable match for Real Madrid that should get them back in the win column at home. Real have kept a clean sheet in their last five matches against Alavés in LaLiga. Even with the injuries, Real should be able to get a win based off the historical matchup.

It certainly won’t be easy with a banged up lineup, but Real can make progress with taking three points. The last two league matches have been against upper table clubs, so this is more of a welcoming sight.

Real cannot afford to drop points on Saturday given how well Sociedad and Atlético are playing. Those clubs have been winning in at least their last five matches played and the gap will only increase if this stretch continues for both sides.

The players available will have to step up in their injured teammates’ absence to secure a win and three needed points. They’ve been able to do it against Inter, so that must translate into league play at the Di Stéfano.