Team News: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale start for Real Madrid against Alaves

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have returned to the Real Madrid starting XI for Saturday's La Liga meeting with Alaves at the Bernabeu.

The Portuguese talisman was rested on Wednesday as Madrid beat Leganes 3-1 in their game in hand to move up to third in the table after 24 rounds of matches.

Keylor Navas also returns in goal, while Bale - who came off the bench for the final 14 minutes in midweek - replaces Marco Asensio, who is absent after having a wisdom tooth removed on Friday.

Sergio Ramos is suspended, while Luka Modric, Marcelo and Toni Kroos remain on the sidelines through injury.

Alaves head coach Abelardo has shuffled his pack following the 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna last time out as Alexis returns to the back four, while Hernan Perez features in midfield.

John Guidetti keeps his spot in the final third alongside Ruben Sobrino, who comes in for Munir El Haddadi, and Alfonso Pedraza is preferred to Ibai Gomez out wide.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Hernandez; Lucas, Casemiro, Kovacic, Bale; Benzema, Ronaldo Subs: Casilla, Llorente, Achraf, Mayoral, Isco, Ceballos, Tejero

Alaves: Pacheco; Duarte, Laguardia, Ely, Alexis; Manu, Torres, Pedraza, Hernan; Sobrino, Guidetti Subs: Sivera, Maripan, Martin, Medran, Pina, Ibai, Burgui

Follow all the action from the Bernabeu with Sports Mole's live match commentary.