Real Madrid will be aiming to record a ninth straight victory in La Liga when they continue their domestic campaign at home to an in-form Alaves outfit on Tuesday night.
Los Blancos, who were confirmed as champions earlier this month, will enter the match off the back of a 4-0 win over Granada, while Alaves impressively held high-flying Girona in their last match.
Match preview
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Real Madrid have had an outstanding 2023-24 La Liga campaign, boasting a record of 28 wins, six draws and one defeat from their 35 matches, which has left them at the top of the table on 90 points.
The title was officially secured on May 4, and Los Blancos then booked their spot in the final of the Champions League courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the second leg of their semi-final at Bernabeu.
The next three weeks will be about management of the squad, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealing that he has a clear plan when it comes to the minutes each player will receive to put them in prime condition for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on June 1.
Such is the strength of their squad and confidence in the camp, Ancelotti could make wholesale changes against Granada on Saturday and still watch his side record a 4-0 win, with Brahim Diaz netting a brace, while Fran Garcia and Arda Guler were also on the scoresheet.
Los Blancos have been outstanding at Bernabeu this season, picking up 47 points from their 17 matches courtesy of a record of 15 wins and two draws, and their final three league games of the campaign are against Alaves (H), Villarreal (A) and Real Betis (H).
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Alaves have found it difficult on their travels this season, only securing 14 points from 17 matches, while they have lost each of their last four La Liga games against Real Madrid, including a 1-0 defeat earlier this season.
The Basque outfit famously won 2-1 at Bernabeu in November 2020, though, and this will be a free hit for the Blue and Whites, who have impressed following their promotion from the Segunda Division last term.
Luis Garcia Plaza's side have picked up 42 points from their 35 league matches this season, which has left them in 11th spot in the table, only one point behind 10th-placed Getafe.
Alaves will enter this match in excellent form, picking up 10 points from their last four matches, beating Atletico Madrid, Celta Vigo and Valencia before drawing 2-2 with Girona on Saturday.
El Glorioso were on the verge of losing 2-1 to Girona, but Jon Guridi netted his second of the match in the ninth minute of added time at the end of the 90 to secure a point for the hosts, who will take on Getafe (H) and Las Palmas (A) in their final two matches of the campaign.
Team News
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Real Madrid will again be without the services of David Alaba, with the Austria international a long-term absentee due to a serious knee injury, while Aurelien Tchouameni is facing a fight to be available for the Champions League final due to the foot problem that he picked up against Bayern.
Los Blancos have no other injury issues, but Ancelotti has said that he will be rotating his squad in the final stages of the La Liga season to prepare for the Champions League final.
As a result, it would not be a surprise to see some of the big-hitters return on Tuesday, with Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham expected to start.
Federico Valverde and Ferland Mendy could also come into the XI, but Diaz is likely to keep his spot, with Rodrygo potentially starting on the bench.
Thibaut Courtois could start the Champions League final, and the Belgium international is again set to feature between the sticks for Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
As for Alaves, Aleksandar Sedlar is again set to miss out through injury, but on-loan Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion will be available after serving a suspension against Girona.
The fitness of the squad will need to be assessed after Saturday's clash, but it would not be a surprise to see the same outfield players sent onto the field for this match.
Kike Garcia is again set to lead the line for the Basque outfit, while Guridi, fresh from his two-goal showing against Girona, will play as the number 10.
Jesus Owono made his first appearance of the 2023-24 campaign on Saturday, but the 23-year-old is expected to be replaced between the sticks by the number one goalkeeper Antonio Sivera here.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Diaz, Vinicius
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Marin, J Lopez; Benavidez, Guevara; Vicente, Guridi, Simeone; Kike Garcia
We say: Real Madrid 3-1 Alaves
Alaves will enter this match in excellent form, and we are backing the Basque team to give their supporters a goal to cheer on Tuesday night. Real Madrid are so difficult to stop at the moment, though, and the capital giants should post their 29th league win of the season here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
