Real Madrid Must Win: Alavés Face the Ultimate Test

As the Spanish La Liga enters its final stretch, Real Madrid must win away to Alavés to maintain their title ambitions. With pressure mounting on Carlo Ancelotti’s men after recent stumbles, this matchup against a struggling Alavés side presents both a challenge and an opportunity. For punters and football fans alike, this game offers a range of betting angles—foremost among them, backing Real Madrid to win.

Official Club Links:
Real Madrid official website
Alavés official website

Alavés Battling for Survival, But Real Madrid Must Win

Alavés boosted their survival hopes with a narrow 1-0 win over Girona last weekend, but that victory did little to guarantee safety. They remain just a couple of points above the relegation zone, making every match crucial. Despite their win, they’ve struggled to impose themselves at home this season, registering just one win in their last eight home league fixtures (D3, L4).

Interestingly, their only home loss against top-seven teams came earlier in the campaign, showing some resilience in big games. But this time, they’re up against a different beast. With Real Madrid must win as the clear narrative, Alavés face a colossal task.

Real Madrid Must Win to Stay in the Title Race

The reigning champions come into this match under immense pressure. Sitting a few points adrift of leaders Barcelona, Madrid cannot afford any more slip-ups. Their recent 2-1 defeat to Valencia was a bitter blow, especially considering that it was their third league loss in just nine games—equal to the total they had suffered in the previous 62 La Liga outings.

Carlo Ancelotti was vocal about the fairness of that result, but he had less to say after Madrid were swept aside by Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League. A 3-0 collapse under the European spotlight emphasized the club’s need for a morale-boosting domestic win. And here, the narrative is clear: Real Madrid must win.

Mendizorroza Memories: A Fortress for Madrid

While Madrid’s away form has been inconsistent of late—with just one win in their last four road games (W1, D1, L2)—they can take confidence from past performances at the Mendizorroza Stadium. Los Blancos have won each of their last four visits to Alavés, and a fifth consecutive win here would put them alongside Osasuna as the only visiting team to claim five straight victories at this ground.

Madrid also hold the best first-half away record in La Liga (HT: W7, D6, L2), often starting strong and controlling the tempo early. For those seeking halftime bets, Real Madrid must win in the first half is worth exploring.

Key Players and Match Dynamics

Carlos Vicente will be Alavés’ go-to man once again after scoring the decisive goal against Girona. He’s been efficient, with all four of his goals this season being his team’s openers—three of them at home.

Madrid, meanwhile, continue to rely on Kylian Mbappé for firepower. The Frenchman has scored six goals in his last five league away matches, and notably, three of those came within the opening 25 minutes. His speed and positioning make him a constant threat, especially when Madrid look to hit on the counter.

Expect Real Madrid to dominate possession and exploit spaces behind Alavés’ backline. Given the stakes, there’s no room for error. Simply put, Real Madrid must win—and convincingly.

Final Verdict: Real Madrid Must Win—And Will

Taking into account the stats, motivation, and historical dominance, it’s hard to look past an away victory. Alavés may show grit, but they lack the depth and firepower to match Madrid. With Barcelona breathing down their necks, Real Madrid must win, not just for three points, but for belief and momentum.

For bettors, a Madrid win is not only logical but strongly supported by recent form, past meetings, and tactical superiority. Whether you’re going in with a straight win, first-half result, or adding goal markets, the value is undeniably with Real Madrid must win.