Alavés faces Real Madrid tonight with Blancos desperate for win, but injury crisis could derail title race comeback

Real Madrid travels to the Estadio de Mendizorrotza in Vitoria-Gasteiz tonight for a critical La Liga clash against Alavés on December 14, 2025. The Blancos seek to maintain their title-race momentum while facing a depleted squad. This Matchday 16 encounter carries massive implications for their championship ambitions.

Matchup Overview: Title Race Implications

Real Madrid enters tonight’s contest in desperate need of a victory to keep pace with league leaders Barcelona. The Blancos currently occupy second place with one match in hand, sitting four points behind Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side.

Alavés, meanwhile, provides a team in poor form. The hosts sit 11th in the standings and have not been at their best this season. This matchup represents a chance for Real Madrid to apply pressure on Barcelona while extending their already impressive seven-game winning streak against Alavés across all competitions.

Defensive Crisis: Real Madrid’s Injury Challenge

Xabi Alonso faces a significant selection puzzle heading into tonight’s clash. Real Madrid has been hit hard by injuries this week, with key defensive players sidelined due to various fitness concerns.

Out for tonight: Dani Carvajal (knee), Ferland Mendy (muscle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh), and Éder Militão (hamstring). Additionally, David Alaba remains doubtful with a muscle issue. The injury toll forces Real Madrid to deploy players out of their natural positions to cover gaps in the defensive line.

Key Storylines and Attacking Threats

Factor	Real Madrid	Alavés
Record	2nd place, 4 pts behind Barcelona	11th place with 18 points
Key Performers	Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé	Limited attacking firepower
Recent Form	Won 7 straight vs Alavés	Middling form this season
Injury Status	Multiple defensive absences	Jon Guridi doubtful (knee)

The return of Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, and Dean Huijsen provides Real Madrid with a significant boost heading into tonight’s match. Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo continue to form a dangerous attacking trio that has troubled defenses throughout the season.

Real Madrid’s Quest to Extend Their Winning Streak

Real Madrid approaches this fixture as clear favorites despite their defensive injuries. The club’s recent form and superior squad depth suggest tonight should present Los Blancos with a favorable opportunity for three points.

However, the unexpected absence of several key defenders means Alavés, while in poor form, could potentially create problems on the counter-attack. Xabi Alonso must carefully manage squad rotation while maintaining the intensity needed to maintain Real Madrid’s title challenge heading into the final weeks of 2025.

“In desperate need of a win to keep La Liga’s title race alive, Real Madrid heads to Vitoria-Gasteiz to face Alavés on Sunday evening.”

— Sports Illustrated, Match Preview

Can Real Madrid overcome injuries and extend their dominant record against Alavés?

Tonight’s clash between Real Madrid and Alavés will reveal much about the Blancos’ depth and resilience. Despite facing a critical injury crisis in defense, Real Madrid’s attacking firepower and superior squad quality make them overwhelming favorites to secure all three points.

Alavés will need a near-perfect performance to take anything from the Bernabéu’s visitors. Meeting Real Madrid’s pressing and organized defensive structure will test the hosts severely. The question heading into tonight remains: Can Xabi Alonso navigate this injury crisis while maintaining the pace in the title race?

Sources

• Sports Illustrated – Complete match preview and predictions
• ESPN/Spanish La Liga – Current league standings and matchday information
• CBS Sports – Team news, lineups, and injury updates