Atletico Madrid resumes their La Liga campaign on Saturday afternoon, hosting Alaves at the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Simeone’s team, fresh from four consecutive wins across all competitions, will look to build on their strong momentum and keep pace in the title race.
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Meanwhile, Alaves arrive in the capital seeking only their second away win of the season, hoping to stay clear of the relegation zone.
Match Preview
Atletico Madrid: Aiming to Dominate
Atletico Madrid has been solid in La Liga this season, sitting third with 26 points from 13 matches. While their attack has been modest—scoring 19 goals, tied for the fifth-best record in the league—their defense remains impeccable.
With just seven goals conceded, Simeone’s men boast the league’s tightest backline.
Before the international break, Atletico defeated Mallorca 1-0 in La Liga and overcame Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the Champions League. The latter victory was crucial for a side that had faced heavy defeats in Europe earlier in the season.
Unbeaten at home in La Liga this campaign, Atletico has collected 14 points from six matches at the Wanda Metropolitano. They’ll be confident against Alaves, a team that has struggled on the road with just three points from seven away matches.
Alaves: Fighting to Survive
Alaves currently sit 15th in La Liga with 13 points, just three above the relegation zone. Despite their position, the Basque club has already secured four wins this season, including a surprising 2-0 victory over Atletico in April.
However, their away form remains a glaring weakness. With one win and 15 goals conceded in seven road matches, Luis Garcia’s side faces an uphill battle in Madrid.
Their last outing, a 3-0 loss to Villarreal, exposed defensive frailties they’ll need to address.
While Alaves are capable of moments of brilliance, consistency has eluded them. Their last two wins—1-0 triumphs over Compostela (Copa del Rey) and Mallorca—showcase their ability to grind out results, but replicating that against Atletico’s disciplined defense will be a tall order.
Form Guide
- Atletico Madrid (La Liga): Unbeaten in five, including four straight wins across all competitions.
- Alaves (La Liga): Struggling with form, having lost three of their last five matches.
Team News
Atletico Madrid:
Atletico will be without Thomas Lemar, who remains sidelined with a muscular injury. Robin Le Normand is still recovering from his head injury and won’t be available.
There’s good news for Simeone as Nahuel Molina is expected to return from a hamstring issue. In attack, Antoine Griezmann is set to feature alongside Julian Alvarez, while Conor Gallagher could return to the starting XI to reinforce the midfield.
Predicted Atletico Madrid XI:
Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Reinildo; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann; Alvarez
Alaves:
Hugo Novoa and Carlos Benavidez remain unavailable due to injury. Head coach Luis Garcia is expected to tweak his lineup from the Villarreal defeat, with Carlos Martin likely replacing Mihailo Ristic on the flank and Toni Martinez leading the line.
Predicted Alaves XI:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Pica, Sanchez; Guevara, Blanco; Vicente, Guridi, Martin; T Martinez
Match Prediction
While Alaves possess enough quality to cause occasional trouble, Atletico Madrid’s home form and defensive solidity make them overwhelming favorites.
With Antoine Griezmann in excellent form and Julian Alvarez providing a lethal edge up front, Simeone’s side is expected to dominate.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Alaves
Will Atletico maintain their winning streak, or can Alaves pull off another shock result like last season? Tune in Saturday to find out!
