As La Liga edges closer to its climax, a high-stakes encounter awaits football enthusiasts when Real Madrid hosts Alaves at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
Real Madrid, fresh from securing their 35th La Liga title, look poised to continue their dominance under the lights of their home stadium, where they've been particularly formidable this season.
Current Form
Real Madrid's season has been nothing short of spectacular, boasting an impressive tally of 28 wins from 35 matches. The champions will walk onto the pitch with a staggering 90 points, having lost just once throughout their campaign.
Their recent victory over Granada by a 4-0 margin underscores their unmatched form, a streak they undoubtedly aim to extend against Alaves.
In contrast, Alaves enters the fray as the underdogs, positioned 11th in the table with 42 points. Despite their lower ranking, they have shown remarkable resilience and are coming off a commendable draw against Girona.
Their previous encounter with Real Madrid ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat, a memory they will be eager to overturn.
Injury Concerns
Real Madrid will be without David Alaba due to a long-term knee injury, while Aurelien Tchouameni's availability remains uncertain as he recovers from a foot injury.
Despite these setbacks, coach Carlo Ancelotti plans to rotate his squad, ensuring his key players are in peak condition for the upcoming Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
Expected to make his return to the starting lineup is Vinicius Junior, alongside Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham. Thibaut Courtois will likely safeguard the net, continuing his role as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
For Alaves, their lineup will miss Aleksandar Sedlar due to injury, but will see the return of on-loan Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion. Kike Garcia is set to lead the attack, supported by Jon Guridi, who recently showcased his scoring prowess against Girona.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Real Madrid
Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Diaz, Vinicius.
Alaves
Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Marin, J Lopez; Benavidez, Guevara; Vicente, Guridi, Simeone; Kike Garcia.
FAQ
What time does the Real Madrid vs Alaves match start? The match is scheduled for 8:30 PM UK time on May 14, 2024.
Where is the match being played? The game will be held at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid.
Who is expected to win the match? Real Madrid is favoured to win, given their strong performance throughout the season and their home advantage.
Are there any key players missing for Real Madrid? Yes, David Alaba is out with a long-term knee injury, and Aurelien Tchouameni is doubtful due to a foot injury.
Who are the key players to watch in this match? For Real Madrid, watch for Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. From Alaves, Jon Guridi and Kike Garcia are players to keep an eye on.
How has Alaves performed in recent games? Alaves has been in good form, securing 10 points from their last four matches. Their recent performances have shown significant improvement.
What are the implications of this match for both teams? For Real Madrid, this match is part of their preparations for the Champions League final. For Alaves, it's about finishing the season strong and possibly climbing higher in the La Liga table.
Will Real Madrid rotate their squad for this match? Yes, Carlo Ancelotti has indicated plans to rotate the squad to manage player fitness ahead of their Champions League final.