Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Basque County as struggling Alaves welcome the Spanish champions Real Madrid, who are in desperate need of a win this afternoon. The home side have not scored a single goal this season let alone picked up a point, but Real Madrid are out of form and missing key players. Stay tuned for all of the action!

Alaves have lost each of their last seven league meetings with Real Madrid, including a 4-1 defeat in this particular fixture last season. Alaves also lost 3-0 at the Bernabeu last term, and have not beaten Los Blancos in La Liga since May 2000 – a 1-0 victory in Madrid. The last time that Alaves avoided defeat on home soil to Real Madrid came during the 2001-02 season, when the two teams played out a goalless draw.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Basque Country. Who is in and who is out? Real Madrid are missing some key, key men here.

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TEAMS!

ALAVES: Pacheco; Vigaray, Ely, Maripan, Duarte; Torres, Garcia; Ibai, Burgui, Medran; Munir

REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Casemiro, Ceballos, Isco; Asensio, Ronaldo, Vazquez

On-loan Barcelona forward Munir El-Haddadi once again leads the line for Alaves, while on-loan Valencia midfielder Alvaro Medran starts against his former club. Still no Bojan for the home side, meaning that Ibai Gomez and Burgui will provide the deeper support in the final third of the field.

Real Madrid's team shows four changes from the one that started against Real Betis on Wednesday night, with Marco Asensio, Lucas Vasquez, Nacho and Dani Ceballos replacing Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Marcelo and Gareth Bale. Karim Benzema is still on the sidelines, but Cristiano Ronaldo starts his second game in succession after returning from suspension. Very interesting team news!

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So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm afternoon in Alava. I shall speak about the home side and their problems a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who really need to pick up all three points this afternoon.

For the first time since Zinedine Zidane took charge of Real Madrid in January 2016, there are questions being asked of the Frenchman. That seems ridiculous after leading the team to back-to-back Champions League titles, in addition to wrestling La Liga away from Barcelona last season, but all is not well at the Bernabeu following an off-colour start to the 2017-18 campaign.

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Check out these classic #RealMadrid GOALS at @Alaves! pic.twitter.com/iFXXFJIPGX — Real Madrid C.F.🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) September 23, 2017

Real Madrid opened their title defence with a strong 3-0 success at Deportivo La Coruna, but were then held by Valencia and Levante in back-to-back home matches. An impressive 3-1 victory at Real Sociedad arrived last weekend, but the Spanish champions failed to build momentum as they incredibly lost 1-0 to Real Betis at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

Cristiano Ronaldo was back after serving his domestic suspension, but the Portuguese could not inspire his team in Madrid. The match looked to be heading for a goalless draw, but Antonio Sanabria came up with an incredible Betis winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

As a result, Real Madrid have dropped points in three of their five league games this season. They sit down in eighth position in the table, already seven points behind league leaders Barcelona, who have a 100% record at this stage. Barcelona travel to Girona tonight, and any slip for Real Madrid here would hand Ernesto Valverde's side the chance to open up what could prove to be an unassailable lead.

📝🏃 #RMLiga
¡El once inicial del #RealMadrid frente al @Alaves! #RMMovistar pic.twitter.com/1hIXiu6dGF — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 23, 2017

As for Alaves, Mauricio Pellegrino led the club to a hugely impressive ninth-place finish in La Liga last season, before leaving to take control of Southampton. Luis Zubeldia was the man tasked with replacing Pellegrino, but the 36-year-old was sacked just four games into the 2017-18 campaign after a disastrous start saw the club lose their first four league fixtures without scoring a single goal.

Interim manager Javier Cabello was in the hot-seat for Wednesday's trip to Deportivo La Coruna, but the same problems were still on display as a 1-0 defeat made it five straight losses at the start of the new campaign. Alaves have not scored a single league goal this season, although they are not actually bottom of the table, with Malaga currently propping up the division after their own disastrous start.

The Basque outfit were playing third-tier football as recent as 2013, and there is a genuine fear that the club could be heading for the drop this season. At the moment, it is difficult to see where the first win is coming from. Indeed, two of Alaves' next three matches are against Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, which makes next weekend's trip to Levante a massive fixture for the Basque club.

#AlavésRealMadrid | ¡Ya tenemos 1️⃣1️⃣ para enfrentarnos al @realmadrid! 🔵⚪️🔵 ¡A por todas, equipo! #GoazenGlorioso pic.twitter.com/DJ5bxZlRtv — Deportivo Alavés (@Alaves) September 23, 2017

Here we go then - both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff, with is imminent. Champions Real Madrid are without a number of key players this afternoon, but Alaves have made a rotten start to the 2017-18 campaign. Let's hope for an entertaining game of football from Alava.

KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off this afternoon...

... it must be said that there is a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. It is also the perfect conditions for a game of football. Alaves have not scored a single league goal this season, but Real Madrid will not exactly enter this match full of confidence. Game on in the Basque Country.

Half-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo finds space in the final third, but the Portuguese cannot slide a pass through to Casemiro, who had made a run from a deep position. As expected, the visitors are enjoying all of the ball in the early stages as they push Alaves into a defensive shape.

Munir breaks through for Alaves, but the offside flag had been raised. Replays show that it was very tight indeed. Real Madrid will need to be aware of the runs from Munir, that is for sure.

Navas has to palm clear a dangerous corner from Torres as Alaves threaten to make the breakthrough. Ibai then delivers a sensational cross towards the far post, but Burgui is adjudged to have felled Casemiro. Real Madrid do not look very solid at the back thus far! Still goalless.

Well, it has been a pretty lacklustre 10 minutes for Real Madrid, who have struggled to carve out any opportunities in the early stages. Alaves, on the other hand, are looking dangerous in the final third.

And just like that, Real Madrid take the lead. It is Ceballos with his first goal for Real Madrid as the Spain Under-21 international works some space inside the box before finding the bottom corner!

Bit of possession for Alaves in the last few minutes, and there is no question that the home side will create chances if they continue to operate at this tempo. Real Madrid, however, are so dangerous on the counter-attack, and will have no problem sitting deep and looking to absorb the pressure.

BOOKING! Vigaray (Alaves) is booked for a poor tackle on Carvajal.

Not an awful lot to report in the last couple of minutes, but Alaves continue to commit players in the final third as they look to score their first league goal of the season. Real Madrid still 1-0 ahead.

Alaves have the chance to threaten from a set piece as Casemiro brings Burgui to the deck, but the resulting free kick is cleared by Varane, and Real Madrid have the chance to counter-attack. Asensio is the player that breaks clear, but Munir is across to bring the Spaniard to the deck.

We have not seen too much from Ronaldo in the opening 21 minutes of this match. The Portuguese is operating through the middle, with Lucas Vazquez on the right and Asensio down the left.

Ronaldo stands over a free kick some 40 yards from goal, and instead of shooting, chips the ball into Ramos, but the centre-back's header is gathered by Pacheco. Ronaldo did not shoot!

Still 1-0 Real Madrid with 25 minutes on the clock, and there are just a few signs that Los Blancos are starting to move through the gears. That said, Alaves have contributed this afternoon. The Basque club are still waiting for the first league goal of the season, but they have been impressive here.

#AlavésRealMadrid | ⏱ 25' | Lo intentan los nuestros ante un @realmadrid que mueve el balón con peligro. ¡Vamos equipo! 0-1 #GoazenGlorioso pic.twitter.com/n2r8UMkKP2 — Deportivo Alavés (@Alaves) September 23, 2017

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid still lead 1-0 courtesy of that 10th-minute effort from Ceballos. In truth, not too much has happened since then!

Possession football from Real Madrid as they pass and probe in the final third of the field. Alaves, however, have been quite tight in a defensive area. Just a reminder that a win for Real Madrid would move them into fourth position in the table - four points off the league leaders Barcelona.

SAVE! Super save from Pacheco to keep out Nacho's close-range header!

BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Munir.

Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid are threatening a second goal as Pacheco again steps across to keep out a strike from Ronaldo. The hosts are under pressure.

Burgui breaks down the right for the home side, but Ramos is across to make the challenge as Alaves look to catch Real Madrid on the counter. There might well be something in this for the Basque club, but they really need to score the game's next goal. A second for Real Madrid would kill the match.

Pass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as they look to work space in the final third, but Ceballos loses control before Torres wins a free kick, allowing Alaves to regain control of the ball in their own half here.

Oh my word! Alaves level the scores in the 40th minute as a thumping header from Garcia finds the top corner! The Basque club finally have their first league goal of the campaign!

Real Madrid regain the lead in the 43rd minute as Ceballos slots home after Alaves goalkeeper Pacheco had palmed down into his own box! It has to go down as a mistake from Pacheco there!

BOOKING! Ely (Alaves) is booked for a foul on Ronaldo.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 2-1 courtesy of a double from Ceballos. Garcia had levelled the scores in the 40th minute with a super header, but Ceballos struck his second less than three minutes later to send Los Blancos back ahead.

STATISTICS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 68%, while the visitors had eight attempts in the first period - four of which were on target. Alaves, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their three attempts. Three bookings to report in Alava this afternoon - Vigaray, Carvajal and Ely.

BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid are without a number of key players this afternoon, but a strong bench includes the likes of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Borja Mayoral. Alaves, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Pina, Romero, Sobrino and Wakaso. Plenty of talent on both benches this afternoon.

RESTART! Alaves resume the action on home soil...

... ALAVES SUB! Alexis has replaced Vigaray for the home side.

No changes from Real Madrid, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that Zidane will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace in Alava. More of the same please.

CHANCE! Ronaldo finds space inside the Alaves box after a super pass from Carvajal, but the attacker's effort is wide of the post. He is desperate to get his name on the scoresheet!

Alaves are having plenty of the ball in the early stages of the second period, but the home side are very vulnerable when Real Madrid have the chance to counter-attack. Still 2-1 to the visitors.

Isco sends a cross behind for an Alaves goal-kick as Real Madrid threaten on the counter-attack once again. The home side are committing plenty of players forward each time they have possession.

Ronaldo again misses the post after unleashing one from the edge of the Alaves box.

CHANCE! Stunning chance for Isco as the Spaniard somehow beats the offside trap and breaks into the Alaves box, but the midfielder cannot find a route past Pacheco!

Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and Real Madrid still lead 2-1 courtesy of that double from Ceballos. Alaves are struggling to create as we head for the final 30 minutes, but they will always be in the game at 2-1. Real Madrid are struggling for control in this football match.

A third for Real Madrid would kill this game as a contest, but the visitors are struggling to create chances at the moment, with Alaves enjoying possession of the ball. It is so delicately poised here.

BOOKING! Medran (Alaves) is booked for a foul on Ceballos.

Still no movement on the Real Madrid bench as we head for the final 25 minutes here.

POST! Stunning strike from Ronaldo, but his effort smashes the post!

GOAL DISALLOWED! Ramos's header is chalked off for offside.

Alaves cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Real Madrid continue to dominate the ball in the final third of the field. Still more than 20 minutes of football to play in Alava this afternoon.

ALAVES SUB! Burgui is replaced by Alfonso.

BOOKING! Garcia (Alaves) is booked for a foul on Vazquez.

Still 2-1 Real Madrid with little over 20 minutes of football remaining in Alava here.

CROSSBAR! Pedraza hits the crossbar with a strike from inside the Real Madrid box!

Little over 15 minutes of football remaining here, and the score is still 2-1. Real Madrid are pushing for a second, but the home side are also committing players forward. It is so delicately poised!

REAL MADRID SUB! Llorente replaces Ceballos for the away side.

MISS! Incredible miss from Ramos as the Real Madrid captain fires over the crossbar from the penalty spot after Pacheco had spilled the ball to the centre-back. Unreal!

POST! Alaves hit the post once again following a mistake from Varane! Pedraza rattles the woodwork for a second time as the home side have another golden chance.

How on earth is this match still 2-1? Still more than 10 minutes of football to play here.

Alaves load a couple of high balls into the Real Madrid box, but the visitors manage to resist the pressure as we enter the final 10 minutes of what has been an incredible football match.

ALAVES SUB! Sobrino replaces Ibai for the home side.

Asensio has a couple of shots blocked before Alaves break down the other end of the field. You still get the feeling that there is a late goal or two in this match. Somehow the score is still 2-1 here.

SAVE! Smart save from Pacheco to push a Vazquez effort wide.

SAVE! Super save from Pacheco to deny Ronaldo!

BOOKING! Torres (Alaves) is booked for a foul on Isco.

Alaves somehow scramble the ball clear after Isco had delivered into Asensio!

It must be said that the home supporters are in fine voice, which is brilliant to see. Alaves have been excellent for long spells of this match, but they look to be falling just short once again.

REAL MADRID SUB! Mayoral replaces Isco for Real Madrid.

We are into the second of three additional minutes at the end of the 90 here.

Carvajal hacks the ball clear as Real Madrid close on all three points.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid recording a 2-1 victory over Alaves as the Spanish champions return to winning ways in the league. That was a battle! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again! Until next time!