Alaves vs Real Madrid
14 August 2000hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Betvictor
Odds: 11/10 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 10 August
Real Madrid get their La Liga season underway against Alaves on Saturday in a game that begins Carlo Ancelotti’s second spell in charge of the Bernabeu club.
Table of Contents
Alaves Preview – Can Alaves shock Real and get their season off to the perfect start?
Alaves can point to a strong end to last season as the reason they remain a La Liga club. Their final nine games seen them pick up four wins and two draws which was ultimately the difference between them finishing 16th rather than in the bottom three. It’s no coincidence that the appointment of Javi Calleja in April was the deciding factor in that survival and the head coach will be hoping he can sustain that impact and ensuring Alaves are clear of another relegation battle.
One thing he will have been focussing on during the close season is the defence. Only Granada conceded more goals than Alaves in La Liga this season (57). Calleja is a progressive manager and likes his teams to keep possession but he knows they cannot leak as many goals this season.
At the other end of the pitch there will be a reliance on experience. 31 year old Joseul is attempting to reach double figures for the third straight season whilst Lucas Perez will be hoping to rediscover his best form of a couple of years ago when he scored 11 in the league.
Whilst they will have their work cut out against Real Madrid Alaves will take confidence from the fact they were unbeaten in their last four home matches from last season, winning four of them.
Real Madrid Preview – Is Ancelotti set to win his first game to mark the start of his second spell in charge?
Carlo Ancelotti was the surprise choice to replace Zinedine Zidane who left Real Madrid for the second time in three years after the end of last season. Ancelotti – who was in charge for two years between 2013 and 2015 and won the Champions League during that spell – returns to a club in need of some transition and change.
Sergio Ramos has left the club and is the obvious key change whilst Raphael Varane is also going to be playing his football elsewhere next season. David Alaba is the most high-profile addition and will take one of those vacant positions in centre half with Marcelo assuming the club captaincy.
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Real (who finished two points behind champions Atletico last season) will be aiming for win the title in spite of these changes. Ancelotti does look a good fit to bring through and develop some of the younger talent available to him including Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde. At the same time getting the best from leaders such as Karim Benzema and Luca Modric.
As ever in Spanish football you can’t talk about one of the super clubs without the other and there’s no doubt that Real will take encouragement from one Leo Messi no longer being at Barcelona.
Alaves vs Real Madrid Betting Advice
Key Facts – Alaves vs Real Madrid Betting Tip
- Alaves had a strong end to last season which ensured they remain a La Liga club
- Real Madrid are under new management with Carlo Ancelotti returning for a second spell
- Alaves won away to Real last season but where duly beaten 4-1 in the reverse fixture
Real are big favourites to get the three points here but I’m happy to side with a low-scoring game in this one. With it being the first game of the season it’s unlikely either team will be up to full speed so back under 2.5 goals.
Best Betting Odds for Alaves vs Real Madrid
