Alaves and Real Madrid: Match preview, predictions and possible lineups

Taking place at the Estadio di Mendizorroza in Vitoria, Spain, this fixture sees Real Madrid, currently second in La Liga, looking to maintain their strong form against a mid-table Alaves side that has lost its last two games​​.

Real Madrid’s lineup is expected to include key players such as Rodrygo and Joselu, backed by a strong midfield featuring Tchouameni, Valverde, and Kroos​​.

For Alaves, the presence of players like Hagi, Omorodion, and Rioja will be crucial in their strategy against the Madrid giants​​.

Alaves: WDWLL

Real Madrid: WWDWW

The contrasting form of both teams, with Alaves struggling and Real Madrid enjoying a series of wins, sets the stage for an exciting clash​​.

Last meeting: Real Madrid 3-0 Alaves (19 February 2022 - La Liga)

In the last five encounters, Real Madrid has dominated with four wins to Alaves' one​​.

Alaves will miss Aleksandar Sedlar and Giuliano Simeone due to injuries.

Real Madrid faces a significant injury crisis with the absence of David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Jr, Arda Guler, and Eduardo Camavinga​​.

Real Madrid is known for their attacking prowess and ability to control the game’s tempo. Despite several key players missing, their depth allows them to maintain an aggressive playing style.

Alaves might adopt a more defensive approach, ceding territory and control to Real Madrid while focusing on counterattacks.

Given Real Madrid's form and head-to-head record against Alaves, betting on a Real Madrid win seems like a safe bet. However, considering Alaves' defensive strategy and Madrid's injury list, a low-scoring game might be expected.

The match is predicted to end in a 2-0 victory for Real Madrid​​.

The match time is 9:30 pm WAT and for Nigerian viewers, it's best to check local sports channels for live coverage closer to the match, like SuperSports.

The game will be broadcast on sports channels that cover the EFL Cup. Fans can also stream the match live through various sports streaming platforms.