Get ready for an exciting La Liga clash as Real Madrid hosts Deportivo Alaves at the iconic Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2026. With a full house of 84,744 expected, this Round 33 fixture could have a big impact at both ends of the table. Real Madrid, sitting second, are nine points behind leaders Barcelona, with only six matches remaining. Meanwhile, Deportivo Alaves are in a tight spot, teetering at 17th, just above the relegation zone.
Both teams come into this game with mixed form. Real Madrid recently suffered a blow by losing to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. Their form across all competitions is shaky, showing L, D, L, L, W. On the other side, Alaves bring a bit more optimism with their recent La Liga results reading D, D, W, D, L. They’ve managed to score four times in their last three home matches.
On the goalscoring front, Kylian Mbappe is causing havoc for defenses with 23 league goals this season. Alaves’ goal-getter, Lucas Boye, isn’t too far behind with 11. Defensively, both teams have struggled too, with Real Madrid conceding 11 goals in their last five games, and Alaves leaking 12. Given this trend, we could see goals at both ends. Real Madrid hasn’t lost to Alaves in their last five matchups, a streak they’ll aim to extend as favorites.
Home team vs Away team Prediction & Betting tip
Real Madrid can count on their squad depth and home advantage to give them the upper hand against Deportivo Alaves. Historically, Madrid has dominated this match-up with five straight wins, scoring an average of 2.4 goals per game against the Basques. With players like Mbappe and Vinicius Junior leading their fast, slick-attacking play, Madrid is poised to challenge a struggling Alaves defense.
A suggestion is to bet on a European handicap, with Real having the potential to overwhelm Alaves for a substantial win. A victory by three goals would not only boost moral but tighten the chase after Barcelona.
| Recommendation | Odds |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid (-3) European Handicap | 5.5 |
Home team vs Away team Odds
Real Madrid are going into this match as firm favorites, backed by their solid form at home. Statistics favor them, with five consecutive wins against Alaves supporting their odds as winners. Recent trends suggest an open game with both teams scoring in their last five games across competitions.
Considering their attacking strengths, goal markets are expected to be lively. This outlook particularly aligns with Alaves’ defensive weaknesses and Real Madrid’s offensive firepower. Given Madrid’s usual proficiency at home, they appear capable of covering significant handicap odds.
| Recommendation | Odds |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid (-3) European Handicap | 5.5 |
Home team Team Analysis
Home team Recent Performance
Real Madrid has hit a rough patch, holding onto 2nd place in La Liga but facing challenges across various competitions. Their recent team form shows a pattern of L, D, L, L, W. Their Champions League exit to Bayern Munich was disappointing, losing 4-3 and 2-1 over the two legs.
In La Liga, Madrid clinched a hard-fought 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid. However, they dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Girona and fell 2-1 to Mallorca, dampening their title hopes. Despite netting nine goals, they also conceded eleven, underlining defensive weaknesses. Notably, most of Madrid’s fixtures result in both teams scoring.
| Date | Fixture | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-15 | Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid | Champions League | 4-3 L |
| 2026-04-10 | Real Madrid vs Girona | LaLiga | 1-1 D |
| 2026-04-07 | Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich | Champions League | 1-2 L |
| 2026-04-02 | Mallorca vs Real Madrid | LaLiga | 2-1 L |
| 2026-03-29 | Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid | LaLiga | 3-2 W |
Home team Key Players
Kylian Mbappe is Real Madrid’s main threat, having scored 23 goals in La Liga. Alongside him, Vinicius Junior uses his blistering pace and skillful dribbling to create swift counter-attacks, which is crucial for fast transitional plays.
Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde anchor the midfield. Bellingham provides solidity and creativity, while Valverde links defense and attack. Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler offer incisiveness against compact defenses, essential against tight opposition.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is known for his attacking prowess, delivering quality crosses from wide areas. Despite injuries, Real has ample depth, crucial given the absences of stars like Thibaut Courtois. Lunin, scrutinized for his shot-stopping ability, now finds himself in a key goalkeeping role.
Home team Suspensions & Injuries
Real Madrid handles some absences, including crucial injuries:
- Rodrygo is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.
- Thibaut Courtois is out with a thigh strain.
Luckily, there are no suspensions, and no other injuries are reported. Arbeloa, the team manager, might need to adjust tactics to cover the flanking gaps, especially considering Rodrygo and Courtois’ lengthy recoveries. Real Madrid will have to rely on their squad strength to manage these continued evaluations.
| Player | Injury |
|---|---|
| Rodrygo | Cruciate ligament injury |
| Thibaut Courtois | Thigh injury |
Home team Tactics and Formation
Real Madrid plans to field a 4-4-2 setup with a high press to disrupt Alaves’ rhythm. The lineup is likely to feature Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Ruediger, Mendy as the defense; Diaz, Bellingham, Valverde, Guler in the midfield; Mbappe and Vinicius lead the attack upfront.
This setup supports quick transitions, utilizing potential rain to lower pitch traction favorably. Full-backs aim to stretch play, aiding inverted wingers. The team relies heavily on Bellingham’s bold runs and Valverde’s ball control, while their forward duo maneuvers to challenge Alaves’ defensive lines.
Away team Team Analysis
Away team Recent Performance
Alaves are fighting to stay up in the league, sitting in 17th place. Their recent form shows resilience with results of D, D, W, D, L. They have been involved in high-scoring draws such as 3-3 against Real Sociedad and a narrow 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo.
Defensively, they have allowed 12 goals while scoring an equal number. Their setup favors attacks, led by their main man Lucas Boye, who has managed 11 key goals.
| Date | Fixture | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-15 | Real Sociedad vs Deportivo Alaves | LaLiga | 3-3 D |
| 2026-04-10 | Deportivo Alaves vs Osasuna | LaLiga | 2-2 D |
| 2026-04-07 | Celta Vigo vs Deportivo Alaves | LaLiga | 4-3 W |
| 2026-04-02 | Deportivo Alaves vs Villarreal | 1-1 D | |
| 2026-03-29 | Valencia vs Deportivo Alaves | 3-2 L |
Away team Key Players
Lucas Boye stands as Alaves’ key striker, providing physical presence and aerial threat. Alongside him, Ibrahim Diabate is effective in link-up play. Antonio Martinez supplies added flair and creativity in attack, and goalkeeper Antonio Sivera stabilizes from behind.
Wing-backs Nahuel Tenaglia and Jonny Otto offer width and contribute to both attacking efforts and defensive tenacity. The midfield pairing of Pablo Ibanez and Antonio Blanco carries out central duties responsibly, while Jon Guridi covers the pitch with energetic box-to-box movement.
Away team Suspensions & Injuries
Alaves is missing Carlos Benavidez, who is recovering from a leg injury, notably impacting their defensive lines. Although they face no suspensions, the absence of Benavidez might require tactical adjustments by manager Quique Sanchez Flores to handle Real Madrid’s attacks.
| Player | Injury |
|---|---|
| Carlos Benavidez | Leg injury |
Away team Tactics and Formation
Alaves could line up in a defensive 5-3-2 scheme to withstand Madrid’s pressing game, setting up Sivera; Perez, Otto, Tenaglia, Parada, and Rebbach in defense. Midfielders Ibanez and Blanco will aim to disrupt Madrid’s plays, with Guridi offering comprehensive support.
Offensively, Martinez and Diabate could exploit counter-attacking opportunities stemming from wing-backs like Otto and Tenaglia, targeting swift transitions and set-piece chances. Regarding discipline and spatial awareness, these elements heighten Sanchez Flores’ tactical reliance against Real’s strong attack.
Home team vs Away team Head-to-Head Statistics
Recent history favors Real Madrid with five wins in a row against Alaves. During these encounters, they have netted 12 goals while conceding just three. Notably, four of the last five matches saw high scores, averaging three goals per match.
Recent meetings have underscored Madrid’s superiority, including a 5-0 triumph at home in May 2024. Alaves last defeated Madrid in May 2023, highlighting Real’s dominance in these encounters.
| Date | Fixture | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-14 | Deportivo Alaves vs Real Madrid | 1-2 |
| 2025-04-13 | Deportivo Alaves vs Real Madrid | 0-1 |
| 2024-09-24 | Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves | 3-2 |
| 2024-05-14 | Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves | 5-0 |
| 2023-12-21 | Deportivo Alaves vs Real Madrid | 0-1 |
Venue and Weather
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu is known for its electric atmosphere, offering Real Madrid an advantage backed by fervent local support. On match night, expect a pleasant 24.1°C, though light rain and a light breeze might surface.
Weather conditions are unlikely to heavily affect the game, as the rapid-play surface might suit Madrid’s style. Alaves, relying on swift counters, could also find similar opportunities under these circumstances. Expect a thrilling encounter where tactical smarts and player skills will take center stage.
