Real Madrid vs Alaves predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Los Blancos return to action following a successful week in Europe.
- DATE: Saturday 28th November 2020
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Real Madrid vs Alaves Preview
Real Madrid are back at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano this weekend and they return in good spirits after a vital victory in Milan in midweek. With their European dreams back on track, they now need to start to try to close what is currently a six point deficit to surprise leaders Real Sociedad in LaLiga.
Many would have feared the worse when Los Blancos stepped out at the San Siro following two poor league displays and with none of Karim Benzmea, Sergio Ramos or Casemiro on the pitch. However it was an accomplished display with Eden Hazard grabbing the all important first goal in a 2-0 win to complete the double over a lacklustre Inter.
Madrid still have work to do to progress from their Champions League group so Zinedine Zidane may still consider changes here to keep some players fresh for the trip to Ukraine on Tuesday. Either way, he will want to see a better performance than the one his team produced in taking a total of just one point from their last two league games against Valencia and Villarreal.
Alaves, in theory, won’t provide such a stern test. The Basques are languishing in the bottom six but their form has picked up considerably since a poor start to life under Pablo Machin. They are unbeaten in 4 league games heading into this, a run that includes a draw against Barcelona.
They are starting to look a bit more like the solid team that is tough to break down, that Alaves mostly have been since their return to the top flight. Machin is yet to fully settle on a formation with his preferred 3-5-2 having failed to deliver the desired results and we may see something akin to the 4-1-4-1 formation that held Barca to a draw in this match.
Check out our match previews for every game in LaLiga this weekend here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Real Madrid Wins, 1 Alaves Win.
- Real Madrid have won their last 8 home games against Alaves.
- They’ve won their last 5 at home to his opposition by an aggregate score of 15-0.
- Alaves have lost 11 of their 12 against Los Blancos overall with their solitary success coming via a 1-0 margin in the Basque Country in October 2018.
Team News
Karim Benzema is still struggling and may not be risked which could see Mariano again start up top. Sergio Ramos is also still out but Casemiro should return to the starting XI.
Alaves are missing Pere Pons to injury while Edgar Mendez returns from a ban.
Predicted Real Madrid Starting Lineup:
Courtois – Marcelo, Varane, Nacho, Carvajal – Kroos, Casemiro – Hazard, Odegaard, Rodrygo – Mariano (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Alaves Starting Lineup:
Pacheco – Duarte, Laguardia, Lejeune, Navarro – Battaglia – Rioja, Jota, Pina, Mendez – Perez (4-1-4-1)
Real Madrid vs Alaves Predictions
Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Alaves
If this season has taught them anything, it is that Real Madrid cannot afford to take these kinds of games lightly and they will need to show the same kind of attitude and urgency that we saw in Milan. If they do that, they should win the game against a functional Alaves team that still struggles a bit in the creativity department.
LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)
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