Alaves Set to Battle Real Madrid: Key Matchup Preview, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed

Desperately requiring a victory to maintain their La Liga championship hopes, Real Madrid travel to Vitoria-Gasteiz to take on Alavés this Sunday night.

Just under two months following their El Clásico triumph, Los Blancos now sit four points behind Barcelona at the summit of La Liga. Stalemates with Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Girona, coupled with a shocking loss to Celta Vigo, have set off warning signals across the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid's 2–1 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League has only intensified the turmoil engulfing the 15-time European champions.

With his position potentially under threat, Xabi Alonso will look to motivate his squad against Eduardo Coudet's side to end their disappointing streak. The odds favor them; the Madrid giants boast a seven-match winning run against Alavés, a record they'll aim to extend this weekend.

Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the match.

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Alavés vs. Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (All Competitions)

How to Watch Alavés vs. Real Madrid on TV, Live Stream

Alavés Team News

Coudet will be missing Nikola Maraš, who continues his recovery from the ACL injury sustained in August, along with the banned Facundo Garcés.

Jon Guridi, however, faces a last-minute fitness assessment following a knee problem. The midfielder hasn't appeared since Alavés' 3–0 triumph over Portugalete on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Despite these absences, the home side retains their strongest available lineup against Real Madrid. Anticipate the coach to field an unchanged starting eleven from his team's 1–0 victory over Real Sociedad last weekend, with Lucas Boyé expected to target Real Madrid's depleted defensive line.

Alavés Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid

Alavés predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-1-4-1): Sivera; Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Parada; Guevara; Calebe, Ibáñez, Suárez, Rebbach; Boyé.

Real Madrid Team News

Real Madrid are concerned about Kylian Mbappé's availability. The French star remained on the bench against Man City due to a muscle problem and hasn't rejoined team training. He has, nevertheless, made the trip with the squad.

Considering Mbappé's fitness concerns, Gonzalo García is likely to start for a second straight match. Endrick would have been considered, but the Brazilian is ruled out for this encounter, alongside Álvaro Carreras and Fran García, following his red card last weekend against Celta Vigo.

Also sidelined for the journey to Vitoria-Gasteiz are the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga. Antonio Rüdiger has made the trip but remains questionable, compelling Alonso to again field an improvised defense that might see Dean Huijsen's comeback.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Alavés

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Alavés (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Asencio, Huijsen; Ceballos, Güler; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; G. García.

Alavés vs. Real Madrid Score Prediction

Real Madrid have shown little to inspire confidence in their capacity to claim three points convincingly. Nevertheless, players like Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo provide the away team with a marginal advantage over 11th-positioned Alavés.

Coudet's squad, however, possesses the capability to challenge Los Blancos' injury-hit defensive unit. Thibaut Courtois has managed only two shutouts in his previous seven outings, and the defense in front of him on Sunday evening will face a difficult task helping him secure another clean sheet.

Prediction: Alavés 1–2 Real Madrid