On matchday 25 of the Spanish top-flight league, Real Madrid will host relegation-threatened side Deportivo Alaves in a tricky encounter.
Alaves have been struggling in the league since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, securing only 20 points out of the 72 points in the 24 matches they have played.
The Los Blancos are also under immense pressure to get back to winning ways after failing to win against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League during the week.
Questions were raised about how Real Madrid approached that game and Carlo Ancelotti’s side should quickly react to the questions raised by securing a win coming Saturday.
February 6th was the last time Real Madrid won a La Liga game. A win in this fixture will prevent their rivals Sevilla who are second on the league log from closing the points gap between them.
However, Alaves’ emphatic win over Valencia last weekend which ended their eleven games winless run could be an inspiration to the team to cause an upset to the league leaders.
The match is scheduled to take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, 19th February 2022 at exactly 8:00 pm.
TEAM NEWS
Both teams have no players suspended for this game but Mariano Diaz who has been absent for a while due to a hamstring injury will continue to be a major doubt for this game.
All other players for both teams would be available for selection.
KEY PLAYERS
Karim Benzema is in contention to be the best player in Laliga when the season comes to an end and the Frenchman is certainly a key player to look out for in this fixture. Benzema has scored 17 goals, assisting 7 so far in the season. He is tricky upfront and will pose a great danger to the back four of Alaves. He was handed a start against PSG in the UCL despite not being 100%. Benzema will be a match fit this weekend and his presence can inspire the Los Blancos to edge past Alaves.
Jose Luis Mato Sanmartin popularly known as Joselu would be one man to cause major threats to Real Madrid. The 31-year old forward is poised to continue his fine form this season. Joselu has scored 12 goals this season and assisted two times in 24 matches.
He’s amongst the top four forwards with the most goals in the 2021/22 La Liga season.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Junior.
Alaves predicted XI: Pacheco; Tenaglia, Laguardia, Lejeune, Duarte; Jason, Escalante, Pina, Loum, Rioja; Joselu.
MATCH PREDICTION
Real Madrid 2-0 Alaves
