Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Luckster
With their La Liga title dreams hanging by a thread, Real Madrid will welcome Alaves to the Spanish capital on Tuesday night.
Real Madrid
Starting with the hosts, at the heart of what has become a public rut, Real Madrid have rightfully come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Watching their Champions League adventure come to an action-packed end last week as they eventually fell to a 6-4 aggregate defeat against Bayern Munich, Los Blancos look set to end the 2025/26 campaign without a single piece of silverware to show for their troubles. Marking their return from March’s international break with a season-defining 2-1 loss away at Mallorca, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side suddenly find themselves sat nine points adrift of arch-rivals Barcelona. In fact, Madrid have failed to win any of their four appearances across all competitions since returning from March’s fortnight interval (three defeats, one draw). Showing some major defensive struggles, Los Blancos have notched just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 12 straight outings.
Real Madrid Team News
Sustaining a season-ending knee injury last month, Real Madrid will once again be without Brazilian superstar Rodrygo. Serving a one-match Champions League suspension in Munich last week, French international Aurelien Tchouameni will return to Arbeloa’s squad here.
While Turkish starlet Arda Guler might have been shown a late European red card against Bayern last week after notching a stunning Champions League brace, the 21-year-old should keep his spot from the start. Bagging 23 goals in his 26 La Liga appearances this season, attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe will lead the line in Madrid.
Alaves
As for the visitors, while Alaves might have dragged themselves over the finishing line last season as they clung to their La Liga status, the Basque-based outfit are at the heart of another relegation scrap. Holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity. Eventually forced to settle for a sensational 3-3 stalemate away at newly-crowned Copa del Rey champions Real Sociedad last time out, Tuesday’s guests have mustered just a sole win from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. With that run stemming back to an eye-catching 2-1 victory away at Espanyol on January 30th, the former Watford boss will also have a major headache over his side’s defensive struggles.
Alaves Team News
Shown what was a costly second-half booking away at Real Sociedad last week, Algerian international Abderrahmane Rebbach will serve a one-match suspension here. Suffering another injury setback last month, Uruguayan midfielder Carlos Protesoni remains on the sidelines with a muscle issue.
Returning to Alaves’ travelling squad last week, ex-Real Madrid attacker Mariano Diaz could feature against his former club on Tuesday night. Making a permanent switch to the Basque Country last year, one-time Wolves defender Jonny Otto will start at the back.
Real Madrid vs Alaves Key Factors to Consider
- When Real Madrid and Alaves met for their reverse La Liga showdown back on December 14th, Los Blancos claimed a 2-1 victory in the Basque Country.
- Real Madrid have failed to win any of their four appearances across all competitions since returning from March’s international break (three defeats, one draw).
- Alaves have registered just a sole win from their last 10 appearances across all competitions.
- Including a pulsating 3-3 stalemate against Real Sociedad last time out, Alaves have shipped eight goals in their last three La Liga appearances.
- French superstar Kylian Mbappe has registered 23 goals in his 26 La Liga appearances this season.
Conclusion
Watching their Champions League adventure come to a thumping end last week, Los Blancos find themselves at the heart of a public nightmare. Shipping six goals in their back-to-back showdowns against Bayern Munich, Madrid have continued to show some glaring defensive issues. Remarkably failing to register a single domestic clean sheet since the start of February, chances could come thick and fast from the Spanish capital in midweek. It’s also worth noting, Alaves have shipped eight goals in just their last three La Liga showdowns.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Luckster