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After another unconvincing performance at the weekend, Real Madrid will be concerned about their general development as they now face a stubborn and awkward Deportivo Alaves side at the Bernabeu.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday 24th September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Madrid vs Alaves may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL MADRID PREVIEW: FOOTBALL ROYALTY
The signing of Kylian Mbappe has shifted what Real Madrid will look like in attack but departures of senior players, most notably and perhaps most importantly Toni Kroos, does mean there is a lack of general cohesion to this Real Madrid side at the moment and their performances have been a little concerning.
Despite that, Los Blancos are still unbeaten in eight matches across all competitions so far this season, coming from behind to eventually hammer Espanyol by four goals to one at the weekend. The fascinating stat so far is that in their eight games, Madrid have scored just one first-half goal with 17 strikes coming in the second 45 minutes.
ALAVES PREVIEW: ARCHETYPAL BASQUE ALAVES
Last season, despite managing to eventually push into the top-half by the end of it and never really looking in any real danger of being dragged into the relegation battle having just gained promotion to the top-flight, there were rumours that Luis Garcia Plaza would be sacked at Mendizzarozza but he remains and they are once again looking solid.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a victory at home to Sevilla at the weekend with Carlos Vicente and Carlos Martin scoring goals before Dodi Lukebakio pulled one back for the Andalusians. They have picked up three victories with a draw in their opening six matches this season.
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: ROTATION FOR MADRID
With Real Madrid heading into their ninth game of the season already, they are expected to make a few changes for this one as they did with Vinicius rested from the start on Saturday.
They are also still dealing with a few key first-team injury issues such as Eduardo Camavinga and, frustratingly, Brahim Diaz, who had began to shine for the champions.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Fede Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
UNAVAILABLE: Jacobo (Injured), Dani Ceballos (Injured), Camavinga (Injured), Brahim Diaz (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Alaba (Injured)
ALAVES TEAM NEWS: UNCHANGED ALAVES
Following on from a victory against Sevilla at the weekend, Alaves will likely name an unchanged eleven for this one due to no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues.
Basque football is often subject to the cliché of quite aggressive and robust football and Alaves do tend to buy into that but there is also a lot of technical talent in their side.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Antonio Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, Manu Sanchez; Joan Jordan, Ander Guevara; Carlos Vicente, Stoichkov, Carlos Martin; Toni Martinez
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MADRID VS ALAVES PREDICTION
It has been an underwhelming start in terms of performances as Real Madrid attempt to deal with the fact that arguably their four best players all take up the same areas on the pitch. They face an Alaves side that have actually been involved in some entertaining encounters so far this season but will likely set up quite deep to try and frustrate their opponents in this one. Madrid finding a way is something that no other club can match them for so, whilst it may not be convincing, another victory is expected.
REAL MADRID VS ALAVES TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS