Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Estadio Mendizorrotza will host Thursday’s La Liga game between Alaves and Real Madrid, the two teams with entirely different ambitions for the remainder of the season. The Basques aim to secure yet another Primera Division survival, while los Blancos are on a quest to regain the trophy. Alaves are likely to adopt a defence-minded approach in the midweek clash, but preventing Real Madrid attackers from scoring is easier said than done. Abdel Abqar is back from suspension, while both Aleksandar Sedlar and Giuliano Simeone should miss out with injuries.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, on the other hand, are eager to retain top position in the standings. Real Madrid faced no difficulties in a 4-1 win over Villarreal and seeing that they outclassed Alaves 4-1 in their last meeting in the Basque Country, away triumph should be considered. As for the away side, all David Alaba, Daniel Carvajal, Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao, and Eduardo Camavinga remain in the treatment room.
Highlighted Player (Toni Kroos):
Toni Kroos is a Real Madrid midfielder who started playing for Bayern Munich II at senior level. He made 13 appearances for the reserve team and on 31 January, 2009 he joined Bayer Leverkusen on loan. He made his Bayer debut on 28 February, 2009, coming as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Hannover.
The German midfielder scored ten goals in 43 league appearances with the BayArena outfit and in the summer of 2010 he returned to Bayern Munich. Kroos won three Bundesliga trophies with the mighty Bavarian giants (2007/2008, 2012/2013, 2013/2014) and in 2013 he was part of Bayern Munich’s team that won the Champions League trophy.
In 2014, though, he decided to leave the club and the German superstar joined Real Madrid on a six-year-contract. Kroos won the 2015/2016 Champions League trophy with los Blancos and it has to be noted that he produced a thrilling performance in the title game against Atletico Madrid. In 2014 he clinched the FIFA World Cup trophy with Germany.
Highlighted Team (Alaves):
Alaves is a Spanish football club located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava. The club were founded in 1921 and they play their home games at Estadio Mendizorrotza. The capacity of the stadium is 19,840 and it has to be noted that it is the third oldest stadium in Spanish football. After spending several years in the Spanish Segunda Division, los Babazorros returned to the top flight in 2016.
The color of Alaves’ home kit is blue and white and the club’s local rivals are fellow Basque sides Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, Osasuna and Eibar. Alaves made it to the UEFA CUP final in 2001, but they were beaten by Liverpool 5-4 in a thrilling football clash. Anyhow, that is still regarded as the club’s biggest success. Los Babazorros booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on four occasions and they have yet to win the Primera Division trophy.