Real Madrid vs. Alaves: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info
La Liga pace-setters Real Madrid have the chance to put five points between themselves and nearest challengers Barcelona on Sunday, as they welcome Alaves to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos start the weekend two points clear of their great rivals, having played a game less in Spain's top flight. With the Blaugrana taking on Granada later in the day, Zinedine Zidane will want to see his side apply some pressure with a comprehensive display on home soil.
It'd be unwise to dismiss the chances of the promoted team, though, as they've enjoyed some positive results of their own this season. Their unexpected progression to the final of the Copa del Rey says plenty about the determination of the group assembled by Mauricio Pellegrino.
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Here is the information you need on where to catch this one and the latest team news for each ahead of what promises to be fascinating encounter.
Date: Sunday, April 2
Time: 3:15 p.m. (BST), 10:15 a.m. (ET)
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports Connect (U.S.)
Team News
Real Madrid: The big blow for Zidane is the absence of Casemiro, who will miss the match through suspension. In a boost to Madrid, Pepe and Raphael Varane are fit, according to ESPN's Dermot Corrigan, although Nacho may continue alongside Sergio Ramos at centre-back for now.
Likely XI: Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Isco; Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
Alaves: Marcos Llorente, on loan from Madrid, will not be permitted to feature, and that will be a major loss for the visitors. That aside, Pellegrino has a full-strength squad to choose from, with his group relatively undisrupted by the international break.
Likely XI: Fernando Pacheco; Kiko Femenia, Victor Laguardia, Rodrigo Ely, Theo Hernandez; Manu Garcia, Daniel Torres; Oscar Romero, Victor Camarasa, Ibai Gomez; Deyverson
Preview
Zidane would have had his fingers crossed during the international break, although the initial signs are that all those who went off to play for their countries are back unscathed.
There were some standout displays, too, particularly from Ronaldo. After he was clearly dissatisfied at being taken off the pitch during the 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, the Portuguese channeled his anger in the right way for his country, netting twice against Hungary in a 3-0 win, then the opener against Sweden in a 3-2 friendly loss.
They were landmark goals for the Madrid forward, too. As we can see here, there aren't many players in the history of European football with a better international haul than him:
Naturally, Ronaldo will be crucial in this one, as Zidane will look to the likes of him, Bale and Benzema to stick the ball in the back of the net. It's in midfield where the manager has some big decisions to make, though.
Casemiro has excelled as of late, and Madrid will miss his tenacity at the base of the midfield. However, against an opponent that will likely sit deep, seek to soak up pressure and deny space, a genuine destroyer may not be needed in the middle third of the field.
It means Isco, rumoured to be close to signing a new contract with the club to end speculation about a sale, per Marca's Santiago Siguero, may get a chance to show what he can do.
Per Lucas Navarrete of Managing Madrid, he's a player who deserves more time on the field:
Madridistas may have been hoping to catch a glimpse of the man set to deputise for Casemiro next season in Llorente, although he's not able to feature against his parent club.
There are other talents for the hosts to be wary of in the Alaves side, though. Forward Deyverson may not be prolific in front of goal, but he's a handful for centre-backs when he's in the mood. Theo Hernandez, who has shone on loan from Atletico Madrid at left-back, is another.
Per OptaJose, his appetite for running with the ball and committing opposition defenders is unrivalled in La Liga:
Alaves have shown they can prosper in these types of matches. They won at the Camp Nou earlier in the campaign, while they were also able to hold Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the Vicente Calderon. They'll be organised and committed in their pursuit of a positive result.
But with Llorente absent, this will be too great a challenge for Pellegrino's side. Expect Madrid, as they have done so frequently this season, to grind down their obdurate opponents.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Alaves
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