Tue Sep 24 20:40:46 UTC 2024: ## Real Madrid Face Tough Test Against Alaves Despite Unbeaten Run
**Madrid, Spain** – Real Madrid’s impressive 38-game unbeaten streak in La Liga will be put to the test on Tuesday night as they host Deportivo Alaves at the Bernabeu. Despite their dominance, the defending champions currently trail Barcelona by four points after a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Espanyol on the weekend.
Alaves, a team that surprised many with a mid-table finish last season, have started the current campaign strongly. Their 2-1 win against Sevilla on Friday propelled them into sixth place in the standings, making them a formidable opponent for Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is currently depleted, with several key players on the sidelines due to injuries. The Italian manager is expected to rotate his squad for this match, with Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Vinicius Junior likely to return to the starting lineup. However, Kylian Mbappe could be rested, with youngster Endrick potentially getting a chance up front.
While Alaves don’t have any major injury concerns, their style of play poses a unique challenge for Madrid. Alaves have a tendency to control possession and create chances on the counter-attack, which could disrupt Madrid’s usual attacking flow.
Despite the injury issues and Alaves’ strong start, Real Madrid are still favored to win the match. However, it’s unlikely to be an easy victory. The Bernabeu faithful can expect a tense encounter with both sides determined to secure a positive result.