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Although Alavés are chasing points to edge further away from the relegation places, there's still an outside chance that they could qualify for Europe. Eduardo Coudet's side are highly competitive and therefore often tough to beat, as evidenced by their recent resilient performance at the Camp Nou.
Ahead of Sunday's meeting in the Basque Country, Alavés have the eighth-best home record in La Liga after earning 14 points at the Mendizorrotza this term.
Real Madrid head into this contest after a painful Champions League defeat to Manchester City, while sitting second in the La Liga table.
The Madridistas have managed just one win in their last five league matches (D3, L1), which has cost them top spot after previously holding a five-point lead over Barcelona. This has inevitably put immense pressure on Xabi Alonso, who may be on thin ice if his team don't prevail this weekend.
Despite this, Real Madrid head into this contest as clear favourites after registering five wins, three draws, and just one defeat from their opening nine away clashes.
Alavés v Real Madrid Predictions
Courtois to make 2+ saves: 2/5 (bet365)
Real Madrid to win: 8/13 (bet365)
Home Team Over 3.5 Corners: 4/6 (bet365)
Courtois to play important role
Real Madrid are currently enduring a challenging spell. In addition to suffering some poor results, Los Blancos are without several key personnel due to injury. Furthermore, Álvaro Carreras and Fran García are now set to serve suspensions after both players were sent off during last Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo.
With a weakened defence, Thibaut Courtois may be called into action more regularly. The Belgian is fortunately performing at his usual high standards, having made two or more saves in nine of his last ten appearances. The only exception in this scenario came against Valencia, when Madrid faced just one shot on target all game.
It remains unclear as to how often Alavés will get far enough forward to be able to test Courtois, but the Babazorros did manage to fire two shots on target against defending champions Barcelona at the end of last month. Moreover, the Basque outfit have recorded two or more shots on target in all 17 of their matches (across all competitions) this term.
Tip: Courtois to make 2+ saves: 2/5 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Courtois makes two or more saves.
Madrid to win
Real Madrid's recent woes are reflected in the odds markets, with the bookmakers slapping a higher price than usual on a Los Blancos triumph. However, there are still plenty of reasons to back an away win.
The likes of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior are often forced to operate in tighter spaces at the Bernabéu, as visiting teams seek to defend in numbers and sit deep for as long as possible. It's a slightly different story at opposing venues, with the onus on the home side to make things happen in forward areas. This often gives Real Madrid's attacking stars more freedom to go and express themselves.
Furthermore, Alonso’s men have won both of their other two fixtures in the Basque Country this term. A convincing 3-0 win at the San Mamés has been the highlight of a tough few weeks for Madrid fans, while September's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad in San Sebastián saw the visitors play almost an hour with ten men following Dean Huijsen's red card.
It's also worth noting that Madrid have won each of the last seven meetings between these two sides, and in nine of their ten most recent visits to the Mendizorroza.
Tip: Real Madrid to win: 8/13 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Real Madrid win the match.
Alavés: Four or More Corners
As alluded to earlier, Alavés like to take the initative on home soil. Coudet demands his team both attack and press the opposition with immense energy, so expect them to frequently enter the final third on Sunday evening. Los Albiazules have been awarded four or more corners in 11 of their last 12 league contests and in six of their eight home matches during this season's Spanish top-flight campaign.
Consequently, a high home corner count is more than likely.
Tip: Home Team Over 3.5 Corners: 4/6 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet will land if Alavés are awarded four or more corners.
Alavés vs Real Madrid Odds
Odds correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Odds correct at the time of publication and subject to change.