Real Madrid look set for a timely confidence boost at Alaves

La Liga
3.15pmSaturday

Played five, lost five, goals scored none, goals conceded eight – the form of Deportivo Alaves certainly puts Real Madrid’s ‘crisis’ into context.

Alaves’ start to 2017-18 is the polar opposite to the completion of 2016-17 which saw them go seven unbeaten in La Liga and reach the final of the Copa del Rey.

Only goal difference is keeping Alaves off the foot of the table as they struggle to adapt to life post-Mauricio Pellegrini.

Luis Zubeldia, the man who replaced Pellegrini, was himself fired last weekend, and interim chief Javier Cabello presided over Wednesday night’s 1-0 reverse at La Coruna.

Cabello won’t be able to call upon Stoke loanee Bojan and the Basques look hugely vulnerable against a Real outfit who will be gagging for the chance to get Wednesday’s shock loss to Betis out of their system.

Real, who have also dropped points against Valencia and Levante, go into this weekend seven points off the pace and missing key players, among them Marcelo, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema.

Without Benzema and with Gareth Bale off colour, the onus is on Isco, Marco Asensio and Borja Mayoral to grab their opportunity alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and those are classy options for Zinedine Zidane.

While Real are struggling at home this season, they have already won at Deportivo La Coruna and Real Sociedad and are chasing a record-equalling 12th consecutive away league win.

Alaves, the first team to lose their first five La Liga games without scoring, haven’t beaten Real at home since 1931.

Recommendation
Real Madrid-Real Madrid double result
2pts 8-13 Coral

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