7M - La Liga Preview: Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Madrid host Deportivo Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday 21 April 2026 in a La Liga fixture where the hosts seek to regain momentum after recent Champions League heartbreak. Los Blancos remain firmly in the title race, while Alaves aim to build on their unbeaten run and climb the mid-table standings.

Real Madrid enter the match having drawn two of their last three outings across all competitions. They fell 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, then shared a 1-1 draw with Girona in La Liga, before another narrow 4-3 defeat to Bayern. At home in the league, Madrid have won four of their last six matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding seven, demonstrating both attacking potency and occasional defensive vulnerability.

Deportivo Alaves arrive in encouraging form, unbeaten in their previous three fixtures. They secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo, followed by a 2-2 draw with Osasuna and another 3-3 stalemate against Real Sociedad. On the road in La Liga, Alaves have claimed two wins and two draws from their last six away matches, netting 12 goals but conceding 13, highlighting an open, attack-minded approach.

Attacking threats are plentiful for both sides. Kylian Mbappe leads Real Madrid's forward line with 23 La Liga goals this season, supported by Vinicius Junior's 11 strikes and contributions from Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham. For Alaves, Lucas Boye has been the standout performer with 11 league goals, while Antonio Martinez adds eight goals from midfield and Abderrahman Rebbach provides creativity on the flank.

Team news presents challenges for both managers. Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa will be without suspended right-back Daniel Carvajal, while Vinicius Junior and David Alaba remain sidelined through injury. Thibaut Courtois is expected to start in goal, with Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao anchoring the defense. In attack, Mbappe is likely to be joined by Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz.

Alaves manager Quique Sanchez Flores faces four absences: Jonny Otto, Carlos Protesoni, Nahuel Tenaglia and Antonio Blanco are all unavailable through suspension. Antonio Sivera should retain his place in goal, with Jon Pacheco and Facundo Garces providing defensive cover. Up front, Boye will lead the line supported by Martinez and Denis Suarez.

Head-to-head history heavily favors Real Madrid, who have won nine of the last ten meetings against Alaves, including the most two recent encounters by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. However, both teams have been involved in high-scoring affairs recently, with over 2.5 goals occurring in nine of Real Madrid's last eleven matches and in three of Alaves' last four outings.

Schedule pressure slightly favors Alaves, who have no European commitments, while Real Madrid balance domestic and Champions League demands. Nevertheless, Madrid's superior squad depth and home advantage at the Bernabeu provide a significant edge in this fixture.

Predicted score: Real Madrid 3-1 Deportivo Alaves