Real Madrid will head into Saturday's clash with Alaves knowing that a draw or better would see them move above Barcelona to the top of La Liga.
Los Blancos are currently second in the table on 28 points, while Alaves are 13th with 18 points having made a solid start to the 2019-20 campaign.
Match preview
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Five wins, three draws and six defeats – that is how Alaves have performed in Spain's top flight this season. A total of 18 points has left them in 13th spot in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Saturday's clash.
Alaves are just starting to establish themselves as a La Liga team having finished ninth, 14th and 11th in their last three seasons at this level. A lot could change between now and the end of the campaign, although the club look to have more than enough to enjoy another season of top-flight football.
Asier Garitano's side will also enter this match full of confidence when considering that they have beaten Real Valladolid and Eibar in their last two league games, scoring five times and not conceding a single goal. That said, they shipped nine goals in their three fixtures before the Valladolid clash.
Two former Premier League players have been among the goals for Alaves this season, meanwhile, with Lucas Perez scoring seven in 14 league outings while Joselu has six strikes in 13 appearances.
Alaves ran out 1-0 winners when they welcomed Madrid for the corresponding match last season, with Manu Garcia netting in the 95th minute. They will be the more rested of the two teams, meanwhile, when considering that Los Blancos were in Champions League action on Tuesday night.
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Current leaders Barcelona are not in action until Sunday night against Atletico Madrid, meaning that a draw or better would, temporarily at least, move Zinedine Zidane's side to the top of the table.
Madrid have not been without their problems this season, but a record of eight wins, four draws and one defeat from their 13 league matches this term is far from disastrous and has left them level on points with Barca at the summit.
Like Alaves, Los Blancos have won their last two in the league, beating Eibar 4-0 on November 9 before recording a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad last weekend. As mentioned, the capital giants were also in Champions League action on Tuesday, sharing the points with Paris Saint-Germain at the Bernabeu.
It does not appear that Barca will run away with the league this season, which suggests that Madrid have an excellent chance of winning their first title since 2017. That said, the likes of Sevilla and Atletico – despite their troubles in attack – will also fancy their chances of challenging for the crown.
It is a fascinating few weeks for Zidane's team considering that they will travel to Camp Nou for El Clasico before the winter break in Spain, and the 33-time Spanish champions will want to be in a strong position to challenge for the title come the start of 2020.
Alaves form: WLDLWW
Real Madrid form: WLWDWW
Team News
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Alaves are in the rare position of having a fully-fit first-team squad heading into this weekend's position, while the Basque side are also free from suspension.
Manu Garcia and Victor Laguardia are also available having missed the 2-0 win at Eibar through suspension, although it would not be a surprise to see the same XI sent onto the field against Los Blancos.
Joselu's brace makes him a strong contender to start, though, while the expected return of Garcia means that Oliver Burke could drop to the bench.
As for Madrid, Eden Hazard is unlikely to feature having picked up a bruised leg against PSG on Tuesday night, while Marco Asensio, James Rodriguez and Lucas Vazquez remain unavailable for selection.
Spanish defender Nacho has stepped up his recovery from a knee injury, though, and his presence during Wednesday's training session suggests that he could be involved in the Basque Country this weekend.
Elsewhere, Ferland Mendy is expected to return at left-back, while Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Rodrygo Goes are all in line to start as Zidane prepares to shuffle his pack following the clash with PSG.
Alaves possible starting lineup: Pacheco; Duarte, Navarro, Laguardia, Aguirregabiria; Rioja, Pina, Garcia, Vidal; Joselu, Perez
Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Bale
We say: Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid
Alaves will enter the match full of confidence, particularly as they won the corresponding game last season. Madrid are on a strong run of form themselves, though, and we fancy an away victory on Saturday afternoon.
Matt Law
