A Tale of Two Teams: Alaves vs Real Madrid
In the upcoming La Liga clash, Deportivo Alaves faces a daunting challenge as they host Real Madrid. Alaves, currently languishing in the 18th position, are in a precarious spot, battling to escape the relegation zone. Their recent form has been a mixed bag, with a 1-3 loss to Real Betis highlighting their defensive frailties. The return of defender Garces from a loan spell is a glimmer of hope, yet the absence of their first-choice goalkeeper, Antonio Sivera, due to injury, leaves a significant void. Sivera's replacement, Jesus Owono, will have to step up against a formidable Madrid attack.
Real Madrid's Relentless Pursuit
On the other side, Real Madrid continues to assert their dominance in La Liga, sitting comfortably at the top. Despite a minor hiccup with Vinicius Junior's suspension, the team has shown remarkable depth and resilience. Their recent 4-1 victory over Las Palmas, with Kylian Mbappé and Brahim Díaz in fine form, underscores their attacking prowess. Madrid's away record is impressive, having lost only once in nine outings this season. Their historical dominance over Alaves, winning 23 of the last 28 encounters, further cements their status as favorites.
Historical Context and Tactical Insights
Historically, Real Madrid has been a thorn in Alaves' side, especially at the Mendizorrotza Stadium, where Alaves has managed just one win in the last 14 meetings. The most common scoreline in these fixtures has been a 0-3 or 1-4 defeat for Alaves, reflecting Madrid's attacking superiority. Alaves' tendency to score late in matches, particularly between the 76th and 90th minutes, might offer a glimmer of hope, but Madrid's robust defense, which has conceded in just one of their last nine away games, will be hard to breach.
Prediction and Conclusion
Given the current form and historical data, Real Madrid is poised to secure an away victory. Alaves' struggles, compounded by key injuries and Madrid's relentless form, suggest a challenging evening for the home side. While Alaves might put up a spirited fight, the likelihood of both teams scoring seems slim, with Madrid's defense likely to hold firm. Expect a professional performance from Madrid, with a predicted scoreline of 0-2 in their favor.