Alaves vs Real Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-12-20 20:30.
AlavĂ©s were handed a tough pre-Christmas run of fixtures, as after losing 3-0 to La Liga (LL) leaders Girona, they must now take on the side in second place, Real Madrid. Manager Luis GarcĂa called the Girona defeat “our worst game of the season” in which “everything was missing” but he refused to make excuses for the fact his side sit just a handful of points above the relegation zone.
Prior to their 1-0 defeat to Las Palmas in their last home outing, El Glorioso had gone three matches unbeaten at home (W2, D1) but as only one of their four LL home wins this term (D1, L3) came against sides currently above them in the standings, the omens are not particularly encouraging as they welcome Madrid to Estadio Mendizorrotza.
It was a bittersweet success for Real Madrid against Villarreal (W 4-1) on Sunday, as the three points exacted a high price with David Alaba suffering a season-ending ACL injury. With goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Éder Militão having already suffered similar injuries, manager Carlo Ancelotti is again facing a defensive injury crisis as they enter this round two points behind Girona at the summit.
With his own future at the club still to be decided, the Italian said before the Villarreal game that he wanted his players to guarantee a “quiet Christmas” with two wins to close out 2023. Given Los Blancos are unbeaten in five league away games (W3, D2) and have only lost twice at Alavés in the 17 all-time league meetings since 1931 (W13, D2, L2), they’ll start as overwhelming favourites to make sure Ancelotti gets his Christmas wish.
Players to watch: Samu Omorodion has scored two of AlavĂ©s’ last four league goals, including netting within a minute of kick-off against Barcelona last month. Brahim DĂaz has struck in two of Madrid’s last three LL fixtures, with three of his four goals in all competitions this term arriving between the 25th and 45th minute.
Hot streak: Alavés scored exactly once in each of the last six H2Hs they hosted (W1, L5).