Prediction: Alaves vs Real Madrid

Prediction: Real Madrid to win 2-1

Best Odds: 13/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

Alaves and Real Madrid will lock horns with each other in La Liga this weekend. The match at the Mendizorrotza Stadium is slated to kick off at 8pm UK time on Saturday.

Alaves

Alaves are having a disappointing season in La Liga and are in danger of going down to the second division. Abelardo Fernandez’s side are 17th in the La Liga table at the moment with 18 points from 19 matches, a point ahead of third-from-bottom Elche, who have played 17 games. El Glorioso ended up just three points above the relegation zone last season, and the signs are that they will involved in another dogfight this time around.

Fernandez’s side will head into the match against defending Spanish champions Real Madrid at the Mendizorrotza Stadium on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla at home in the league. It followed a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Almeria on the road.

Team news:

Joselu is likely to lead the line for Alaves against his former club Madrid.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid will head into the match against Alaves on the back of a shock 2-1 defeat after extra time to third division outfit Alcoyano in the last-32 stage of the Copa del Rey. The result was made worse by the fact that Alcoyano went down to 10 men with 10 minutes of extra time left. The loss followed a goalless draw with Osasuna away from home in La Liga.

Zinedine Zidane’s side, who won the La Liga title last season, find themselves seventh in the league table at the moment with 37 points from 18 matches. Madrid are only three points ahead of third-placed and bitter rivals Barcelona and four points behind city rivals and leaders Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand.

Team news:

French striker Karim Benzema is likely to return to the Madrid starting lineup, and so should Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Key Factors to Consider

• Real Madrid have scored 30 goals in 18 La Liga matches this season.
• Alaves have scored 17 goals in 19 La Liga matches this season.
• Real Madrid have conceded 15 goals in 18 La Liga games this campaign.
• Alaves have conceded 25 goals in 19 La Liga games this season.
• Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Alaves at home earlier in the season.

Conclusion

Alaves will fancy their chances of springing a surprise given Madrid’s defeat in midweek, but Los Blancos have one of the strongest teams in La Liga and should manage to pick up all three points from the encounter.

Prediction: Real Madrid to win 2-1

Best Odds: 13/2

Bookmaker: Betfair