The white steamroller
Real Madrid are taking giant leaps towards securing the La Liga title for the first time since the 16/17 season, the second time since the 11/12 season meaning that this is quite a big deal to say the least. Deportivo Alavés are on the other hand take giant leaps towards relegation after a very depressing run of form. Easy hunting for Los Blancos?
Real Madrid
Los Blancos are on the verge of winning this years La Liga and can be found at the absolute top of the table, only 1 point above rivals Barcelona but with a game in hand meaning that if they win on Friday they will find themselves 4 points above Barca with only 9 points left to play for.
Steamrolling everyone and everthing
Real have had an all around fantastic season so far racking up 23 wins, 8 draws and 3 defeats in league play yielding a total of 77 points. The biggest factor as to how/why they managed to leapfrog Barca is down to their outlandish form post-lockdown where they have won 7 games in a row with the goal difference of 13-2 compared to Barca's 5 wins and 3 draws.
Whats more is the fact 3 out of 4 of Zidane and co's last games come against teams in the bottom half of the table, 2 of which as far down as 17th and 19th place meaning that the title really should end up in the capital unless they manage to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Slight injury issue
A slightly worrisome issue is that Real will be missing both Ramos and Carvajal to suspension but will on the other hand be happy that the suspensions are against the likes of Deportivo Alavés and not a top side. Frenchman Varane is luckily back from injury but Real lack a real replacement for Carvajal with Odriozola on loan at Bayern meaning Lucas Vazquez could potentially deputise at right back. Not catastrophic but not optimal either.
Deportivo Alaves
The Basques have had an extremely torrid time of things since lockdown racking up a worrying 6 defeats and a solitary win leaving them at 17th place, 6 points above the relegation zone.
What a sh*tshow
The only reason the Babazorros find themselves above the zone and not under it is the fact that all other relegation-threatened teams have not been able to capitalise on the situation enough but if Deportivo perform as badly as they have done they could very well find themselves below the cutoff point by the 18th (last day of games).
Not looking to good
Alaves have in fact been, by far, the worst performing team since lockdown notching a measly 3 points and things are looking extremely glum given the fact that their remaining 4 games come against the likes of Real Madrid, Real Betis, Getafe and Barcelona. I can realistically see Alavés snatch 1 point, 2 at most against these teams meaning their only hope is that their rivals falter as well.
Betting tip
This is an extremely lopsided game between the potential champions and a major relegation candidate meaning it should go only one way. I will be backing a Real Madrid win and clean sheet at 1.77 with Betway.
