Real Madrid get set to host Deportivo Alavés at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, the 25th of April 2026. Kick off time is 6.30 PM CEST and that means a 5.30 PM GMT start, or 6.30 PM WAT if you’re watching from Africa. Only one man stands between Real Madrid and their title ambitions – and that’s the team that is Álvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid, who’ll be looking to maintain their winning record at home against a Deportivo Alavés side fighting desperately to avoid being dragged into the relegation zone
Match Summary
Real Madrid are in a great position in La Liga, and at the Bernabéu this season they’ve generally had things their own way. They smashed Alavés the first time they met this season ; now, with the house advantage, they’re looking to keep that up against relegation-threatened Alavés. And of course, they’ve got all the skills to do it. They overwhelm opponents with high-energy pressing and clinical finishing from their star players.
Deportivo Alavés meanwhile are in the mess of a typical relegation fight; they are in the lower half of the table and looking over their shoulders all the time They’re a hard-working, well-organised team who will try anything to stay clear of the drop zone – like most of their relegation rivals. They’re a threat on set-pieces and counters but when it comes to playing the ‘big boys’ like Real, they struggle to hold their own at the other side’s ground The Bernabéu is a very intimidating place to visit, and Alavés look likely to park the bus and try to sit deep and frustrate their hosts. Real will have the ball for a lot of the ninety minutes and Alavés will have to guard their goal with their lives and hope to nick a quick break for a goal. Given Real’s record at home one goal is pretty much a guarantee.
Head to Head: Real Madrid have had the better of most if not all of the matches between the two sides in recent times, especially when they’ve hosted
Possible Lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois – Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras – Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga – Güler, Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
Álvaro Arbeloa’s got most of his key players to choose from and Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior at the front will be very difficult to handle for the visitors.
Deportivo Alavés (4-2-3-1 or 5-4-1): Sivera – Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, Javi López – Blanco, Guevara – Alkain, Guruzeta, Rebbach – Muriqi
Alavés will be playing a defensive set up so Vedat Muriqi will be the main goal threat from the front and the midfield will focus on breaking up play and launching the odd quick attack
Prediction
In the end, Real Madrid’s top-drawer quality, dominance at home and attacking flair should make life very easy for them. Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior are likely going to fire some shots on goal, and get some goals. Alavés can make life a bit tricky for them during the 90 minutes and maybe even manage a consolation goal but at the end of the day Real Madrid’s superiority at the Bernabéu will guarantee them all 3 points
Final score prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Deportivo Alavés
