Alaves vs Real Madrid: Match preview, head-to-head, team news, key players

Deportivo Alaves host Real Madrid in La Liga at Mendizorrotza Stadium on Sunday evening.

Alaves ended their three-game losing streak by beating Real Sociedad 1-0 last Saturday. A day later, Real Madrid suffered a 2-0 home loss to Celta Vigo.

Match preview

Madrid have collected just nine points from their last six league fixtures and are four points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Manager Xabi Alonso is under pressure to turn things around, and failing to secure a victory in this fixture could further endanger his position.

Madrid have the best away record in the division, and their attacking prowess could just be enough for them secure a victory.

Alaves, meanwhile, would be buoyed with confidence heading into this fixture. They have lost just two league home games this term and have conceded the second fewest goals.

Head-to-head

Alaves have faced Madrid 38 times in La Liga, winning four, losing 32 and drawing eight.

Team news

Alaves will be without the injured Nikola Maras, while Facundo Garces is suspended. It is touch-and-go for Jon Guridi.

For Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, and Antonio Rudiger are injured while Endrick, Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras are suspended.

Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappe are doubtful but Dean Huijsen is back from injury.

Key players

Alaves

Carlos Vicente: He is the club’s joint top-scorer and has created the second most big chances.

Lucas Boye: Scored the joint-most goals and ranks first for key passes per game for the hosts.

Real Madrid

Arda Guler: The Turkish leads the squad for most assists and big chances created in the league.

Vinicius Junior: Only Mbappe has registered more league goal involvements than the Brazilian for the visitors.

Stats from sofascore.com, who scored.com & transfermarkt.com