Deportivo Alavés host Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mendizorroza on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in a La Liga Matchday 16 clash kicking off at 20:00 UTC (9:00 PM CET). The Basque side, sitting comfortably in mid-table, will look to exploit a Real Madrid team mired in a crisis under manager Xabi Alonso.
Current Form and Standings
Alavés enter the game in 11th place with a solid home record: four wins, two draws, and two defeats in eight league matches at Mendizorroza this season. They are coming off a 1-0 victory over local rivals Real Sociedad, ending a three-game losing streak and boosting confidence ahead of this tough fixture.
Real Madrid, second in the table and chasing leaders Barcelona, are in poor form, winning just once in their last five La Liga games. Recent back-to-back home defeats—to Celta Vigo (La Liga) and Manchester City (Champions League)—have piled pressure on Xabi Alonso, with reports of dressing room unrest and speculation over his future.
Potential Lineups
Deportivo Alavés (4-1-4-1): Sivera; Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Parada; Guevara; Calebe, Ibáñez, Suárez, Rebbach; Boyé.
Lucas Boyé, who scored the winner against Real Sociedad, will lead the line and look to capitalize on Madrid’s makeshift defense.
Real Madrid (4-3-3 or improvised): Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Asencio, Huijsen; Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, García, Vinícius Júnior.
Score Prediction
Alavés are tough to beat at home and could frustrate a depleted Real Madrid. However, Los Blancos’ quality in attack should edge a narrow win, despite their vulnerabilities.
Predicted Score: Alavés 1-2 Real Madrid