Real Madrid didn’t win a title last season, which is why they brought Carlo Ancelotti back. With Ancelotti in charge (2013-2015), they won the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. They hope he continues to have the magic touch.
They’ll be opening the season on the road against Alaves, a team that suffered a lot last season. Let’s look at the latest news, stats, injury reports and the La Liga Odds for Alaves vs Real Madrid. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider!
- Game: Alaves vs Real Madrid
- Location: Estadio AL7, Mendizorroza
- Time: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET
- Television: beIN Sports
- Live Stream: fubo.tv
La Liga Betting Lines
| Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Over/Under | Team Total |
| Alaves | +1 +115 | +625 | 3 +110o | ½ -150o/+120u |
| Real Madrid | -1 -135 | -220 | 3 -130u | 1½ -200o/+160u |
| Draw | +360 |
Head to Head
- Previous Matches: 34
- Alaves Victories: 5 (25 goals)
- Real Madrid Victories: 27 (87 goals)
- Draws: 2
Alaves almost wound up in the relegation season, but that didn’t stop them from beating Real Madrid once. Alaves defeated Madrid 2-1 on goals from Lucas Perez and Joselu.
Several weeks later, Real Madrid took revenge and crushed Alaves 4-1. Karim Benzema was the Man of the Match after scoring two goals. Real Madrid is 8-0-2 in their last 10 meetings with Alaves. During that span, they scored 25 goals allowed seven, and finished with a clean sheet four times.
Alaves only won one of their last five meetings at Estadio AL7.
Why Bet on Alaves?
If there’s a perfect time to beat one of the powerhouses, it’s in the first match of the season. The thing is, that’s not enough to finish in a good position. Last season, Alaves beat Real Madrid and finished 16th with 38 points (9-11-18). They allowed 57 goals, the second-worst defensive record in the league.
Knowing they needed to improve in all lines, they signed several reinforcements. The list includes Toni Moya, Taichi Hara, Ivan Martin, Manu Garcia and Florian Lejeune. They sold Ramon Mierez and Olivier Verdon to regain some money.
Alaves played seven preseason games, finishing with a 4-0-3 record. They scored and allowed 13 goals. They showed some defensive improvement after finishing with a clean sheet in two games.
They’re going to play on the counter-attack, trying to take advantage of the fact that Real Madrid’s new defensive unit is going to need more time to adapt.
No major injuries to report here. Their expected lineup is Fernando Pacheco; Martin Aguirregabiria, Victor Laguardia, Florian Lejeune, Ruben Duarte; Pere Pons, Rodrigo Battaglia, Luis Rioja, Tomas Pina; Lucas Perez, Joselu.
Why Bet on Real Madrid?
Real Madrid deserves to be the sports betting favorite, but they need to prove it on the field. Last season, they finished second two points behind Atletico Madrid. They scored 67 goals and allowed 28. Not bad, but not good enough.
The offseason has been rough for them. They lost Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Brahim Diaz, and Takefusa Kubo. They signed David Alaba to replace Ramos. Also, Gareth Bale, Martin Odegaard, Jesus Vallejo, and Dani Ceballos will be back. They are very good players, but they haven’t had a real chance.
“The key is the team; I feel very much at home in it. Like I said before, from the first day they’ve welcomed me so well. I’m trying to help the team improve with my qualities and to contribute to the team,” said Alaba after playing his first game.
They only played two preseason games. They lost 2-1 to Rangers and drew 0-0 against AC Milan. Having Ancelotti back should cause a lot of changes. Marcelo, Isco, and Bale should benefit the most.
Also, everybody’s expecting Eden Hazard to show his best version. If that’s the case, Real Madrid would become one of the most dangerous teams in Europe.
Odegaard and Ceballos are questionable due to injury, but the rest of the team is ready to go. Their expected lineup is Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Luka Modric; Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema.
Final Analysis, Predictions
Real Madrid should take the reins right from the start. Their roster’s depth should make the difference. If Bale and Hazard play well, it’s game over for Alaves. Nevertheless, being the first game of the season, Los Blancos are going to suffer a little.
Don’t forget to check the Soccer Props for Alaves vs Real Madrid to increase your winning chances. Our score prediction is offering a +750 price. Playing at home, Alaves will put up a fight, that’s why you should go with Draw-Real Madrid for half time-fulltime.
Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2, Alaves 1
