After producing an awful performance against French giants Paris-Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabéu tomorrow (19th February) to attempt and get back to winning ways. Los Blancos will square up against relegation-threatened Deportivo Alavés in their twenty-fifth matchday of the season.

Real Madrid failed to score a goal in their last two games and a ‘cowardice’ display in the Champions League have left Madridistas agitated with Ancelotti’s tactics and team selection. Ancelotti was caught in the act of tactical failure at the Parc des Princes by Florentino Perez, and speculation has since been rampant that Perez has put direct pressure on the Italian boss to turn things around soon to avoid the ‘sack’.

Alavés has not been in good form recently as they currently stand 18th in the league table, four points away from safety. With a win in their recent fixture versus Valencia (2-1), Babazorros El Glorioso has their confidence high to snatch all the three points from the Bernabeu and make two consecutive wins, the last which they achieved in October of 2021.

REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS AHEAD OF ALAVES CLASH

Real Madrid travelled with a fully fit squad to Paris and things are expected to remain unchanged on the squad list against the basque outfit. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. are expected to start and use this ‘comfortable’ fixture to end their goal-droughts.

There had been questions over Mendy’s fitness during the previous game and Marcelo or Miguel can be expected to start over him.

The fatigue was clear on the faces of Modric, Kroos and Casemiro in the midfield against the French side and Ancelotti may use this fixture to make heavy rotations and find the potential of his squad depth.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• Real Madrid have won 14 of their last 16 meetings with El Glorioso in Laliga losing their last home game in the compeition back in November 2020.
• Alaves was succesfull in defeating Real Madrid in their last two away trips to the Spanish capital.
• Los Blancos have won only three of their last seven home matches in Laliga, failing to score in three of those seven games.

PREDICTIONS

Real Madrid may seem in a little bit of trouble concerning form but they should be able to dispose of Alaves comfortably. Attackers Benzema and Vini are desperate to find a goal that may steer Ancelotti’s men to a victory.

REAL MADRID 3-1 DEPORTIVO ALAVES

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