Real Madrid are back in action and they will be looking to snap not only a losing streak but a goal drought. Madrid go away to Alaves who’ve made a good start to the season and will look to snatch points from the legendary club and this may be the best opportunity to do so! Expect a tough game for Madrid, but can they overcome their recent struggles and pick up an important win?
Key Facts
Alaves have been quite impressive this season as they sit 6th in La Liga with 3W 2D 2L. They’re unbeaten at home.
Alaves home games have only had 1.7 goals per game scored.
Alaves current top scorer is Ibai with 3 goals.
Real Madrid have beaten Alaves in 9 straight meetings currently.
Real Madrid have not scored a goal in any of their last 3 matches. This is the first time they went scoreless in 3 games in a row since 2007.
Real Madrid are still tied for 1st place in the league however.
Real Madrid’s top scorer Karim Benzema has now scored a goal in 6 straight matches. Drought.
Real Madrid have had more unders than overs (2.5) in all competitons this season. 5 unders 3 overs.
9 straight meetings between these sides have had over 2.5 goals.
Team News
Alaves: There are a couple of injury doubts for Alaves coming into the game and that’s on the left side with Burgui and Duarte their LM and LB being questionable to start. Elsewhere there’s nothing to report in the Alaves camp. Expect them to play counter attacking style of football given the level of their opponent.
Real Madrid: There’s a massive injury bug concerning Real Madrid right now. Isco and Marcelo are both still out, meanwhile Carvajal picked up an injury in Moscow and could also be out. Gareth Bale will be pretty much a game time decision as he faces fitness tests to decide whether he can play against Alaves. Real Madrid would be losing a ton of attacking threat not only with 2 key creators potentially out but two full backs who enjoy bombing forward and tend to create chances too. Although youngster Rodriguez started at LB during the midweek, we should see Nacho move to LB with Ramos at CB after he didn’t travel to Russia midweek. If Carvajal doesn’t feature then Odriozola is the most likely replacement and as for Bale, he was replaced by Lucas during midweek and would be expected to be replaced by him again if he doesn’t pass the fitness tests. Modric should also return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench while Benzema is expected to lead the line unless Lopetegui chooses to go with Diaz to start for the first time. There’s a ton of selection headaches upcoming for Lopetegui for his injury bugged side.
Betting Tips and Predictions
There is simply no value in Real Madrid win at 1.38 here. Too depleted of a line-up and that gives us opportunities to go against them. Alaves +1.5 at 1.90 is a very good pick for this match. On current form and without many key players, there’s no way Real Madrid should have a comfortable away win at a team who are 6th in the league. Sure, historically Real have been demolishing this side, but then again it’s a new Real Madrid era and things are going different, just look at this 3 game goal drought happening for the first time in over a decade. In fact Alaves 1X at 3.25 is worth the risk too, they can well and truly come out here and get a point, maybe even all 3 if they really get it right. Under 3 goals at 2.00 is another good pick because as mentioned Madrid are struggling to score and Alaves isn’t the best going forward side, take away the Vallecano away game and they’ve scored 5 in 6 other games. In our eyes, this game has a 1-1 draw written all over it. Madrid may be the superior side, but injuries have affected them and will do so here plus they could for sure be low on confidence too losing 3 in a row. Alaves will get a point from this match.
Match Odds (TonyBet)
Alaves Win – 8.75
Draw – 5.20
Real Madrid Win – 1.38
KICK OFF – 6th October 2018 – 5:30pm UK Time
