Real Madrid are in midweek La Liga action as they welcome early-season surprise package Deportivo Alaves to the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
The mid-table finishers from last season have enjoyed a strong start to the new season and a 2-1 victory over a woeful Sevilla side on Friday means they currently sit sixth in the table ahead of their visit to the capital.
Alaves are aiming to snap Madrid’s lengthy La Liga unbeaten run which was extended to 38 games at the weekend with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Espanyol. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were forced to come from behind and prevail, with substitute Vinicius Junior having a huge impact off the bench.
While they remain unbeaten, Barcelona’s perfect start to the domestic season means the champions are already four points adrift of their Clasico rivals at the top of the table.
Madrid’s squad currently looks thin in some areas of the pitch and Ancelotti’s management will be put to the test amid a busy period for the La Liga champions.
The Italian rotated considerably for the weekend’s win over Espanyol and there will be further alterations for this midweek clash with the Madrid derby looming.
Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and Vinicius Junior are likely to come back into the team, but there could be a rest for Kylian Mbappe with Endrick potentially getting the nod up top. Jude Bellingham won’t be risked after re-injuring his shoulder against Espanyol.
Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos have joined Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba on the sidelines.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Deportivo Alaves (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Guler, Valverde; Rodrygo, Endrick, Vinicius.
The visitors have few concerns on the injury front heading into this one, but they will be without Jesus Owono.
The lack of notable absences means there shouldn’t be many surprises in regard to Luis Garcia’s team selection. Alaves got back on track on Friday night with a win over Sevilla and there are unlikely to be many – if any – changes from that team. Joan Jordan, once of Sevilla, is a familiar name in the middle of the park.
Winger Stoichkov has no relation to the Bulgarian great.
Deportivo Alaves predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Sedlar, Sanchez; Jordan, Guevara; Vicente, Stoichkov, Martin; Martinez
