In a crucial La Liga encounter, Real Madrid will host Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The match is set to kick off at 21:30 Central European Time. While Real Madrid aims to recover from recent disappointments in both the league and the Champions League, Alaves finds itself in a perilous fight for survival at the bottom of the standings.
Match Preview
Under coach Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid is enduring a tough season, currently positioned second in the league with 70 points from 31 matches. After a 1-1 draw against Girona and a disappointing exit from the Champions League by Bayern, the pressure is mounting on the squad. This match presents a pivotal opportunity for Los Blancos to regain pride and momentum, with stars like Kylian Mbappe eager to secure a decisive win.
Despite their formidable home record, Real Madrid faces challenges due to injuries to key players such as Courtois and Rodrygo, along with illness sidelining Asensio, which may lead to a revised lineup. Arbeloa will be looking for an early goal to settle his team’s nerves and boost their confidence following recent struggles.
On the other hand, Alaves is battling to avoid relegation, currently sitting in 17th place with 33 points. Their last match ended in an exhilarating 3-3 draw against Real Sociedad, showcasing both their resilience and defensive vulnerabilities. The team has struggled defensively, conceding goals in 13 consecutive matches. As they travel to Madrid, Alaves will likely adopt a defensive stance while hoping to capitalize on counter-attacks, most notably from striker Lucas Boyé, who has netted 11 goals this season.
Probable Lineups
- Real Madrid: Lunin – Carvajal, Militão, Rudiger, Carreras – Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouaméni – Güler, Vinicius Jr., Mbappe
- Alaves: Sivera – Pérez, Tenaglia, Otto, Parada – Ibáñez, Guridi, Blanco, Lekhedim – Boyé, Martínez