It's all very slow from Zinedine Zidane's side and Alaves are standing firm.

Casemiro wins a free-kick as he goes shoulder to shoulder with Joselu, which will allow Toni Kroos the chance to whip a cross into the box...

Blimey. Zinedine Zidane has already seen enough.

Hold on. Or is it that another injury for Eden Hazard?!

Yep, Rodrygo is replacing Hazard with less than half an hour gone.

Another blow for Hazard, making just his third La Liga start of the season this evening.

Real have won 12 of their last 13 matches against Alaves in La Liga, last losing 1-0 in October 2018.

But this has been really uncomfortable so far.

Without Karim Benzema, they're really lacking that focal point in attack.

Casemiro has already picked up a customary yellow card for a challenge on Lucas Perez.

Former Premier League forwards Perez and Joselu have put in a great shift so far.

Thibaut Courtois races out to deny Perez after a long ball over the top caught out the Real defence. He tried to chip the Real keeper, but Courtois anticipated it well.

Lucas Perez weaves in and out of challenges before taking aim and earning yet another corner for his side.

Alaves are really keen to get a second and make this impressive early period count. They've had four shots so far, to the hosts' one.

Alaves continue to look really lively and respond to a decent spell for Real by forcing another corner.

This one is too deep for anyone to meet it. Real have a real game on their hands here.

Ok, here we go, Real are growing into this now and slowly pushing up the pitch.

They earn their first corner of the match, which Mariano meets with a powerful header - but it's comfortable enough for Fernando Pacheco to gather.

Sulaimon Adelekan: Real Madrid wont win this game. They are so inconsistent and Alaves are dangerous with the ball.

Real are yet to get close to the Alaves penalty area after 10 minutes.

Pablo Machin's side are pressing high and with plenty of energy in the early stages. The question, of course, is whether they can maintain it.

Alaves look comfortable in possession and Real look wide open in midfield!

Lucas Vazquez is forced to clear as Alaves break forward.

A really positive start by Alaves, this.

Wow!

What a start this could be for the visitors.

Nacho is penalised for handball following Victor Laguardia's header from the corner.

Pablo Machin's visitors are on a decent run of form going into this one.

Though they squandered a 2-0 lead to draw with Valencia last weekend, Alaves are unbeaten in four games, with a point against Barcelona also coming in that run.

10 points from as many league games sees them two points above the bottom three. A surprise win here could take them as high as eighth.

They have earned the first corner of the match...

So, a good week so far for Real Madrid.

But they really do need to get back to winning ways in La Liga as soon as possible.

Alaves are knocking the ball around nicely in the opening couple of minutes, though.

As always, you can get involved with your thoughts during tonight's match.

Just include #bbceurofooty in your tweets.

Away we go at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium!

A moments silence before kick-off, following the death of footballing legend Diego Maradona.