Real Madrid vs Alaves

The La Liga leaders also boast the division's best defensive reocrd and we are backing them to keep another clean sheet against struggling opponents

Real Madrid welcome Alaves to the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Friday night with Zinedine Zidane's men closing in on the La Liga title.

Los Blancos need eight points from the final four matches to be crowned champions and they are clear favourites against a struggling Alaves side.

The Basques have lost each of their last five games and this week replaced manager Asier Garitano with Juan Lopez Muniz.

Real Madrid vs Alaves Team News

Real Madrid are without suspended duo Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal, while Eden Hazard has missed the last two games and the Belgian could be a doubt once more with an ankle problem.

Alaves are without injured goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco and defender Ruben Duarte, who is a long-term absentee.

Real Madrid vs Alaves Preview

The La Liga leaders have been in exceptionally strong defensive form since the resumption of the season, conceding just two goals in seven games and keeping four consecutive clean sheets.

Madrid will be confident of recording another shutout against a team that has netted just once in the last five matches.

Indeed. Alaves have scored just 12 times in 17 away games this season - the second-lowest total in the division - and they will surely struggle in the final third against La Liga's best defensive unit.

The hosts may be missing Ramos and Carvajal, but with Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy they should have enough defensive cover to keep the Basques at bay.