Real Madrid Aim To End Slump At Alaves Despite Ancelotti Uncertainty

Real Madrids manager, Carlo Ancelotti, and his team face mounting scrutiny ahead of their away clash with Alaves on Sunday, as they look to snap out of a poor run of form and stay in the hunt for the La Liga title.

Los Blancos currently trail league leaders Barcelona by four points, with the Catalans set to visit Leganes on Saturday.

Madrid are reeling from a humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in the Champions League midweek and cannot afford further missteps.

While they prepare to host the Gunners in Wednesday's return leg - insisting they can turn the tie around - Madrid risk overlooking their domestic responsibilities by focusing too heavily on Europe. Their opponents, 17th-placed Alaves, are battling to avoid relegation and may sense an opportunity against a shaky Madrid side.

Despite holding the status of reigning Spanish and European champions, Real Madrid have conceded 11 goals across their last four matches and are coming off back-to-back defeats - to Arsenal and La Liga rivals Valencia.