Real Madrid reportedly have the upper hand in the race to sign a superstar winger who's been linked with Liverpool, while Xabi Alonso is set for an 'ultimate test' to avoid the sack

Xabi Alonso may have just bought himself a few more days as Real Madrid's manager with a 2-1 win at Alaves on Sunday, even if the stylistic clashes that have loomed large over his employment status were still very much on display.

Madrid defender Éder Militão is sidelined after tearing a left-leg muscle in the loss to Celta. Madrid will also be without suspended players Fran García, Dani Carvajal, Álvaro Carreras and Endrick, who all ran afoul of the referee in the Celta debacle.

Kylian Mbappé has bagged 28 goals this season for Real Madrid. / Ruben De La Rosa/NurPhoto/ Real Madrid will look to close out the year with three important La Liga points when they host Sevilla. The 15-time Champions League winners can make it three wins in a row for the first time in nearly seven weeks with a victory at the Bernabéu ahead of the holiday break.

Real Madrid will face Alaves away on Sunday for a key match that might determine the future of Spanish manager Xabi Alonso, as the Blancos lost the last two matches against Celta Vigo and Manchester City and only won one of the last five LaLiga games.