Real Madrid’s April does not relent. Just six days after the high-octane theatre of the Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Allianz Arena, Álvaro Arbeloa’s side must immediately refocus on La Liga and a home meeting against Deportivo Alavés at the Bernabéu on Tuesday, April 21. On paper, this is the most straightforward fixture in Madrid’s brutal April run — but with a title gap of seven points to Barcelona, a bruised squad, and a short turnaround from Munich, even the most comfortable-looking fixtures carry hidden danger.
The Context: Three Points Are Non-Negotiable
Alavés is in 15th place in La Liga with only 19 points from 32 games. This puts them in a dangerous position, fighting just four points above the relegation zone. That context works both ways: Madrid should statistically win this game, but a team fighting for its life in the Primera División can be surprisingly dangerous, especially when playing its fourth game in 12 days. Real Madrid has beaten Alavés twice this season: 2-1 at the Bernabéu in December 2025 and 1-0 at Vitoria-Gasteiz in April 2025. This means that they need to win one more home game to sweep the season. Alavés currently sit 15th in the La Liga table with just 19 points from 32 matches — a position that places them in a precarious fight for survival, four points above the relegation zone. That context cuts both ways: it is a matchup Madrid should dominate statistically, yet a side fighting for its Primera División life can be unexpectedly dangerous, particularly against teams playing their fourth fixture in 12 days. Real Madrid has won both previous meetings against Alavés this season—a 2-1 victory at the Bernabéu in December 2025 and a 1-0 win at Vitoria-Gasteiz in April 2025—meaning they are one home win away from a full-season sweep.
News about the team
The most important piece of news about the team heading into this game will be how they feel after the second leg against Bayern Munich on April 15. Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo are still out for a long time, and neither is expected to be back before the end of the month. Aurélien Tchouaméni is back and available after being suspended for the second leg against Bayern. He should go right back to the midfield pivot role he left open in Munich. Arbeloa has a real problem with his forwards: Mbappé and Vinícius will have played two tough European games in the last ten days, and he will have to decide whether to rest one or both against Alavés or keep playing them because the title race is so important.
Expected Lineups
Real Madrid’s lineup is Lunin, Carvajal, Rüdiger, Asencio, Fran García, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Güler, Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior.
Deportivo Alavés (4-1-4-1): Sivera; Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Parada; Guevara; Calebe, Ibáñez, Suárez, Rebbach; Boyé
Lucas Boyé, Alavés’ top scorer this season with 10 La Liga goals, is their main and almost only attacking threat. If Rüdiger and Asencio let him get the ball with his back to goal inside the area, his direct, physical style and smart movement in the channels will test them.
Tactical Viewpoint
Alavés will play in a predictable and determined way: they will have a deep 4-1-4-1 defensive block, a tight midfield, and quick changes through Boyé when Madrid loses the ball in advanced areas. Real Madrid’s plan must also be clear: they should be patient in the build-up, use Carvajal on the right to overload the defence, and attack the centre early on before Alavés’ shape is fully set. Ceballos’s return to the starting lineup gives the midfield some creative energy that has been missing since he got hurt. His combination play with Güler could be the key to breaking through a crowded Alavés block without using up the physical energy that Mbappé and Vinícius will need later in the week.
Prediction of the score
All the numbers point to a Madrid win. They have scored in seven straight league games, won four of their last five home games, and are up against a team with the second-worst defence in the league. Alavés hasn’t scored in three of their last five away games, and they’ve given up multiple goals in away games against top-six teams all season. If Arbeloa’s team can quickly get rid of the physical and mental effects of Munich, this should be a nice night at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid 3-0 Deportivo Alavés is the predicted score.
