Alavés vs Real Madrid – Preview Lineups Predictions

Deportivo Alavés hosts Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mendizorroza on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in a La Liga fixture that carries significant weight for the title race. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern Time, corresponding to approximately 9 p.m. local time in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. The match pits a mid-table side with formidable home defensive statistics against a reigning champion desperate to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona.

Real Madrid enters the contest following a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo and a 2-1 Champions League loss to Manchester City, having won just two of their last eight matches across all competitions. Meanwhile, Alavés snapped a three-match losing streak with a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad on December 6, positioning them 11th in the table with 18 points from 15 matches.

The historical context favors the visitors dramatically. Real Madrid maintains a seven-game winning streak against Alavés and has not lost at the Estadio de Mendizorroza since October 2018. However, Alavés has demonstrated particular resilience on home soil this season, earning 14 points from eight La Liga matches while conceding only 15 goals—the second-lowest total in the division.

What time and where is Alavés vs Real Madrid?

The Estadio de Mendizorroza, also referred to as Campo de Futbol de Mendizorrotza, serves as the battleground for this encounter. Sports Illustrated confirms the 3 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff, while local Spanish time aligns with the evening schedule typical for weekend fixtures.

Key facts at a glance

1. Dominant streak: Real Madrid has defeated Alavés in seven consecutive meetings across all competitions.
2. Home fortress: Alavés has lost only twice at home this La Liga season, accumulating 14 points from eight matches.
3. Defensive record: Alavés has conceded just 15 goals at home, matching their expected goals allowed and ranking second only to Villarreal.
4. Title pressure: Real Madrid sits four points behind Barcelona, making any dropped points potentially catastrophic for their championship aspirations.
5. Recent struggles: Real Madrid has won only two of their last eight matches in all competitions, including a damaging home loss to Celta Vigo.
6. Form reversal: Alavés enters after a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, ending a three-match losing run.
7. Historical anomaly: The last time Alavés defeated Real Madrid was a 2-1 away victory in 2020.

Statistical comparison

How to watch Alavés vs Real Madrid live?

United States viewers can stream the match exclusively via ESPN+, according to CBS Sports. The subscription service holds broadcasting rights for this La Liga fixture, with kickoff at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday afternoon.

International broadcast options

While ESPN+ streams the match exclusively in the United States, viewers in Spain and other international markets typically access La Liga through regional sports networks and streaming platforms. Local listings should confirm specific channel assignments for the 9 p.m. CET kickoff.

Predicted lineups and team news for Alavés vs Real Madrid

Both managers face selection decisions ahead of the Sunday evening kickoff. Alavés expects to field a settled side following their victory over Real Sociedad, while Real Madrid navigates significant injury concerns that have weakened their defensive options.

Alavés projected XI

Sports Illustrated projects Luis García Plaza will deploy a 4-1-4-1 formation unchanged from the Real Sociedad win: Sivera in goal; a back four of Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, and Parada; Guevara anchoring midfield; Calebe, Ibáñez, Suárez, and Rebbach across the middle; with Lucas Boyé leading the line.

Real Madrid projected XI

The visitors are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Courtois between the posts; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Asencio, and Huijsen in defense; Ceballos and Güler in the double pivot; with Rodrygo, Bellingham, and Vinícius Júnior supporting striker G. García.

Injury concerns and availability

Alavés will be without defender Nikola Maras due to injury, though otherwise manager Luis García Plaza has his preferred XI available. OneFootball notes Lucas Boyé remains crucial to their attacking threat.

Real Madrid presents a more concerning injury picture. While specific names beyond the confirmed absence affecting their backline remain unclear, the squad travels with significant defensive limitations. Despite these absences, match preview analysis indicates key attackers including Vinícius Júnior, Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Güler are expected to feature.

Alavés vs Real Madrid head to head and recent form

The historical record between these clubs heavily favors the capital side, though recent home performances suggest Alavés could pose a sterner test than the raw statistics indicate.

Recent form analysis

Alavés has produced a mixed run of results, recording a La Liga form line of LWLLLW following their 1-0 triumph over Real Sociedad. That victory halted a three-match losing sequence and demonstrated their capability to shut out quality opposition at the Estadio de Mendizorroza.

Real Madrid’s form reads WDDDWL in the league, with their most recent outing resulting in a damaging 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo. Across all competitions, they have won only twice in their last eight attempts, Sports Mole reports. Despite this slump, they maintain the best away record in La Liga, highlighted by a recent 3-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao.

Historical head-to-head record

Real Madrid dominates the overall ledger, having gone unbeaten against Alavés at the Estadio de Mendizorroza since October 2018. WhoScored data confirms a seven-game winning streak for Los Blancos in this fixture, including a 1-0 victory at this venue on April 13, 2025.

Of 44 total meetings, Alavés has recorded just five victories, with their most recent triumph coming in a 2-1 away win in 2020. Recent analysis notes that none of the last five encounters have ended in draws, with Real Madrid claiming all five victories.

Timeline of recent Alavés vs Real Madrid encounters

1. 2020
   Alavés 2-1 Real Madrid (away) — The most recent victory for Alavés in this fixture, achieved at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.
2. October 2018
   Alavés 1-0 Real Madrid (home) — The last time Alavés defeated Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mendizorroza.
3. April 13, 2025
   Alavés 0-1 Real Madrid — Real Madrid continued their winning streak at this venue with a narrow victory.
4. December 2025 (current)
   Alavés vs Real Madrid — The upcoming fixture with Real Madrid seeking their eighth consecutive win against Alavés.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain?

Why this match matters in the La Liga title race

Real Madrid cannot afford further slips if they hope to reel in Barcelona at the summit of the La Liga table. Four points adrift of the leaders, match preview analysis suggests manager Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure amid speculation regarding his future should results not improve immediately.

For Alavés, positioned comfortably in mid-table with 18 points from 15 matches, this fixture represents an opportunity to validate their strong home defensive record against elite opposition. A positive result would consolidate their standing and demonstrate that their low expected goals conceded at home translates to resistance against the league’s most talented attacking units.

The tactical battle carries particular intrigue. Real Madrid must break down a defense that has conceded fewer home goals than all but one other La Liga side, while Alavés seeks to exploit set-piece opportunities against a visiting backline weakened by injury absences. For context on how pressure affects sporting outcomes in high-stakes environments, consider the psychological dynamics explored in Murder in a Small Town – Famous Cases, Stats & Insights.

What experts are predicting

Analysts remain divided on the likely outcome, with consensus acknowledging Real Madrid’s quality but noting their recent vulnerability and Alavés’s home resilience.

“Despite Real Madrid’s poor form, their historical dominance over Alavés suggests a narrow 2-1 victory for the visitors.”

— Sports Mole prediction

“Expect Real Madrid to struggle breaking down Alavés’s robust defense, making a half-time draw at +130 the value play.”

— Goal.com analysis

“The individual quality of Vinícius, Bellingham, and Rodrygo gives Real Madrid a slight edge, though Alavés enters with genuine confidence at home.”

— Sports Illustrated

Final outlook for Alavés vs Real Madrid

The convergence of Real Madrid’s urgent need for points and Alavés’s formidable home defensive record creates a compelling tactical contest. While historical precedent and individual talent favor the visitors, their recent struggles against organized defenses and injury-enforced defensive frailties offer the hosts a genuine pathway to points. For those tracking venue-specific performance data, similar location-based analysis can be found in Cineplex Odeon Ste-Foy – Location Showtimes Ratings Guide.

Frequently asked questions