On Sunday afternoon, Atletico Madrid will host Alaves in a pivotal La Liga matchup. Atletico is currently positioned fourth in the league, with 38 points from 19 matches. They hold a four-point lead over fifth-placed Espanyol and are looking to secure a top-four finish. Alaves, on the other hand, is struggling in 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Match Preview: Atletico Madrid vs Alaves
This season, Atletico Madrid has had a solid performance in La Liga, recording 11 wins, five draws, and three losses. Despite their strong record, they are significantly behind league leaders Barcelona, with an 11-point gap. Atletico’s last league action ended in a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad on January 4.
Since then, Atletico experienced a loss to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup and a narrow 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna in the Copa del Rey. They have been particularly strong at home, with an impressive record of eight wins and one draw from their nine matches at Wanda Metropolitano.
Alaves’ Current Form
Alaves comes into this match following a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano and a successful qualification for the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. However, their La Liga form has been less than stellar, accumulating only one point from the last four league games. Their previous match saw a 3-1 defeat against Villarreal. Alaves has struggled in away games this season, managing only four points from nine fixtures.
Statistical Overview
- Atletico Madrid’s La Liga Form: WLLWWD
- Atletico Madrid’s Overall Form: WWWDLW
- Alaves’ La Liga Form: LWLLDL
- Alaves’ Overall Form: LWLDLW
Team News
Atletico Madrid will miss Clement Lenglet due to injury, and Nico Gonzalez’s availability will be evaluated before the match. Coach Diego Simeone is expected to recall key players such as Koke, Alexander Sorloth, and Jan Oblak after rotating the squad for the last game.
Alaves has Carlos Protesoni returning from suspension, but Lucas Boye remains a significant doubt. Long-term absentees include Nikla Maras and Facundo Garces. Carlos Vicente has been a standout player for Alaves, scoring nine goals this season and could prove crucial in the attack.
Predicted Starting Lineups
| Atletico Madrid | Alaves |
|---|---|
| Oblak | Sivera |
| Llorente | Jonny |
| Hancko | Tenaglia |
| Pubill | Pacheco |
| Ruggeri | Parada |
| Simeone | Ibanez |
| Koke | Blanco |
| Barrios | Vicente |
| Baena | Suarez |
| Sorloth | Alena |
| Alvarez | Martinez |
The match-up poses a challenge for Atletico Madrid as they seek to regain momentum in La Liga. While Alaves has the capability to make the game competitive, Atletico is favored to secure a narrow victory at home.
