Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
In September, Real Madrid have effortlessly taken matches against lower-class opponents. Obviously, Alavés fall into this category as well. Despite three wins in their last four rounds, they remain inconsistent and are unlikely to challenge the reigning champions.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Espanyol on Saturday marked their fourth consecutive win with a margin of 2+ goals. In terms of xG, only Barcelona are ahead of Madrid (15.61 vs 19.15). Regarding expected goals conceded, they are in the top three (5.06). The game against the Catalan club showcased the depth of their squad and their confidence, which kicked in during the final 30 minutes of the match - with Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappe each recording 1+1.
Deportivo Alavés
Recent victories have allowed Alavés to edge into the European spots, though for a mid-table team, finishing in the top 10 would already be a huge success. Based on xG, they are indeed among the best (10.52 - 6th best), but they have struggled to convert their chances (nine goals). On the road, the team has conceded six goals in three matches - Espanyol needed only 1.66 xG to defeat Alavés (3-2).
Real Madrid vs Deportivo Alavés
Since January 2021, Real Madrid have won five straight matches against Deportivo Alavés, with the last three ending with a combined score of 9:0. Real Madrid should comfortably secure three points again this time.
