Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves: Preview and prediction

Real Madrid will be looking to make it five wins in a row in all competitions when they host Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday night.

Deportivo Alaves will be looking to build on their impressive start to the 2024/25 season when they face unbeaten Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid away at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Royal didn't get off to the best start to the new season, dropping points in two of their first three league games. But they have been on a roll recently, winning each of their last three league games.

Ancelotti's side come into this home game on the back of a convincing 4-1 win over Espanyol and will be looking to continue the same trend against Alaves. The visitors have also been pretty good in the first few weeks of the new season. Despite starting with two consecutive draws, they have won three of their last four league games.

The Basques suffered a setback against Espanyol but bounced back with a 2-1 win against Sevilla. Despite barely having the ball, they took their chances and took the three points of the evening.

Alaves are unlikely to have possession against Real Madrid and will need to produce a similar performance if they are to take anything from this game. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they might employ.

Team news and tactics

real Madrid

Brahim Diaz, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga remain on the bench for the home side. Carlo Ancelotti is expected to make a few changes to his eleven as he wants to keep everyone fresh as the games come thick and fast.

Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal were substituted after sustaining injuries in the last match. Although it was nothing serious, Ancelotti perhaps did not risk them from the start. Thibaut Courtois will once again start in goal. Lucas Vazquez will be the right-back, while Ferland Mendy should continue on the left. In the center of defense, Eder Militao will start alongside Antonio Rüdiger.

Luka Modric is likely to be back in the starting eleven in this match, with support from Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. In attack, prodigy Endrick could finally make his first start for The RoyalHe is expected to step in for Rodrygo, while Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are expected to be the other two strikers.

Expected formation (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Valverde; Endrick, Mbappe, Vinicius

Deportivo Alaves

Jesus Owono will not be available due to injury. Apart from him, Luis García will be able to choose from the full squad. The Deportivo Alaves coach is expected to stick with the starting eleven that played in the last game.

Alaves will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Antonio Sivera in goal. The back four will consist of Nahuel Tenaglia, Abdel Abqar, Aleksandar Sedlar and Manu Sánchez. Tenaglia and Sanchez will play on the wings, while Abqar and Sedlar will start in the centre of defence.

Joan Jordán and Ander Guevara will be the two defensive midfielders. They will support the defence and also ensure that the Madrid midfielders do not gain possession so easily.

In attack, Carlos Vicente and Carlos Martin will play on the wings. They will look to add width to their attacks, while Stoichkov will take the lead as an attacking midfielder. Toni Martínez will lead the visitors' attacking line.

Expected formation (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, Manu Sanchez; Jordan, Guevara; Vicente, Stoichkov, Martin; Tony Martinez

Key statistics

• Real Madrid remained unbeaten in their last 38 league games.
• The Royal have won their last four games in all competitions and will be looking to secure their fifth consecutive win against Alaves.
• Real Madrid last won 5-0 against Alaves at the Santiago Bernabéu.
• Alaves made history in November 2020 when they won 2-1 at the Bernabeu.
• Carlo Ancelotti’s team remained unbeaten in their last five games against Alaves.

Players in focus

Endrick

Embed from Getty Images

The 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy has had an exceptional start at Real Madrid. He has only played 26 minutes in six appearances but already has two goals and an assist to his name. If he gets the chance to start against Alaves, it would be no surprise to see him put in a sensational performance on his debut.

forecast

Real Madrid 4-0 Deportivo Alaves

Real Madrid are not yet at their peak but are still making life difficult for their opponents. The hosts are expected to improve with each game and Alaves, who have made a decent start to the new season, could feel the full force of Los Blancos on Tuesday. The Hard Tackle is predicting a 4-0 victory for the home side.