Real Madrid vs. Deportivo Alavés 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule, and how to watch online

Real Madrid are back atop the La Liga table, and now it's time for them to cement their position and try to establish a lead wider than the one-point margin they currently hold. To do that they have to keep winning games, starting with this weekend's clash against Deportivo Alavés.

Even with Cristiano Ronaldo not playing at his best of late, much of the rest of the Real Madrid side has stepped up to fill in his shoes. Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale have played well, James Rodriguez has returned to form, and Marcelo has even become an offensive force again from left back. Thanks to that form, Real Madrid have won four straight matches in all competititons, and haven't lost in La Liga action all season long. Now they need to add to that run, and a struggling Deportivo side seems likely to be the next to fall.

But Real Madrid can't get cocky and assume they've won before the match is played. That kind of arrogance is what saw them slump to three straight draws against Villarreal, Las Palmas, and Eibar, but those harsh lessons are what propelled them to their red-hot form since then. As long as they stay as focused and efficient as they've been of late, there's little to worry about -- but of course, that's easier said than done.