Alaves vs Real Madrid: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Real Madrid are aiming to bounce back from midweek humiliation when they visit Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Sunday afternoon.

Los Blancos were dismantled by Arsenal during the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final and will need a miraculous comeback - even by their standards - to reach the semi-finals of this year's competition. Carlo Ancelotti will be tempted to rest personnel ahead of Wednesday's crunch clash but Madrid are still in the hunt to defend their La Liga crown, too.

Relegation-threatened Alaves are their opponents this weekend as they aim to recover from last weekend's shock home defeat to Valencia. Hugo Duro's 95th-minute winner means Madrid's title prospects are now hanging in the balance as they play catch-up to league leaders Barcelona.

Alaves are fighting at the other end of the division as they seek to avoid demotion to the second tier. Manager Eduardo Coudet has helped steady the ship since arriving in December and recent 1-0 victories over Villarreal and Girona have massively boosted the Basque side's chances of staying up. They still have work to do, however, and anything gained from their battle with Madrid would be worth celebrating.

Here is 90min's guide to the encounter.

What time does Alaves vs Real Madrid kick-off?

Alaves vs Real Madrid head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Alaves vs Real Madrid on TV - UK & US

Alaves team news

Antonio Sivera is suspended for the weekend duel / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

Alaves will be without three players through suspension this Sunday after midfielder Jon Guridi, first-choice goalkeeper Antonio Sivera and winger Tomas Conechny were all handed their fifth yellow card of the season in victory over Girona. In better news, starting right-back Nahuel Tenaglia returns from his one-game ban.

Madrid will have to make special arrangements to keep leading Alaves scorer Kike Garcia quiet this weekend, with the veteran 35-year-old having scored 11 times in La Liga this term. Carlos Vicente, who netted the winner last time out, could be his provider on the right-hand side with four assists in all competitions.

Alaves predicted lineup vs Real Madrid

Alaves predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Owono; Tenaglia, Abqar, Diarra, Sanchez; Jordan, Blanco; Vicente, Alena, Martin; Garcia.

Real Madrid team news

Ferland Mendy has been ruled out of coming games / Diego Souto/GettyImages

Ferland Mendy has been ruled out of the upcoming clash with Arsenal and will, of course, miss this weekend's meeting with Alaves. The Frenchman's replacement at the Emirates Stadium was the injury-prone David Alaba, who suffered a knock in the defeat and will likely be rested ahead of the return leg.

Federico Valverde also sustained a knock during the midweek loss in north London despite completing the encounter. He will need to be assessed before the trip to Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Madrid are guaranteed to be without long-term absentees Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, while Dani Ceballos and back-up goalkeeper Andriy Lunin are significant doubts.

Eduardo Camavinga is suspended for the midweek visit of Arsenal after being sent off late in proceedings on Tuesday night, but his suspension doesn't carry over to La Liga.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Alaves (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, F. Garcia; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Diaz, Guler, Rodrygo; Endrick.

Alaves vs Real Madrid score prediction

Madrid will rotate ahead of their clash with the Gunners in Europe this Wednesday but their embarrassment of riches should prove too much for Alaves on Sunday. Their supporting cast must step up to the plate amid a difficult period and ensure that more points are not dropped in La Liga.

Los Blancos have won their previous six matches with Alaves, scoring 20 times in said battles, and should extend that winning streak against their spirited hosts.