Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it successive victories in Spain's top flight when they continue their campaign with a clash against Alaves at Mendizorrotza Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors are currently third in the La Liga table, 10 points behind the leaders Barcelona, while Alaves occupy 17th, with the Basque outfit just two points outside of the relegation zone heading into the final straight.
Match preview
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Alaves boast a record of eight wins, 10 draws and 15 defeats from their 33 league matches this season, with a total of 34 points leaving them in 17th spot in the table, two points outside of the relegation zone.
Eduardo Coudet's side will enter the match off the back of a huge 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, and they have actually been victorious in two of their last four games in Spain's top flight, losing just once, with that reverse coming against Real Madrid.
The Blue and Whites have found it difficult on their own patch this term, picking up only 19 points from 16 matches, but Atletico have dropped points in nine of their 16 away league fixtures during the 2024-25 campaign.
Alaves actually beat Atletico 2-0 in the corresponding match between the two sides last term, but it was 2-1 to Diego Simeone's team when the pair locked horns for the reverse fixture at Wanda Metropolitano earlier this season.
Coudet's side will know the value of picking up all three points this weekend, but a defeat would certainly leave them vulnerable ahead of another hugely difficult match against Athletic Bilbao on May 11.
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A season which promised a lot is ending on a disappointing note for Atletico, with the Red and Whites knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in March before losing in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey to Barcelona.
Simeone's side have also seen their title challenge falter in recent weeks, with the team currently third in the table, picking up 66 points from their 33 matches courtesy of a record of 19 wins, nine draws and five defeats.
Atletico can still mathematically win the title this term, but they are 10 points off leaders Barcelona and six from Real Madrid in second, so an extraordinary turn of events would need to occur to pull them back into contention.
The Red and Whites are comfortable when it comes to the top five and securing Champions League qualification for next season, though, sitting 12 points ahead of sixth-placed Real Betis with only five games left.
Atletico are believed to be planning for a busy summer transfer window, and having showed so many positive signs for long stages of the season, the supporters will be feeling hopeful ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Team News
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Alaves are once again expected to be without the services of Abdel Abqar through injury, but the home side are otherwise in excellent shape heading into this weekend's clash with Atletico.
Head coach Coudet made two half-time changes against Real Sociedad last time out which contributed to the team recording a 1-0 win, and those two players, Ander Guevara and Tomas Conechny, could now come into the XI.
Kike Garcia has had a strong campaign for Alaves, finding the back of the net on 12 occasions, and there will once again be a spot in the final third of the field for the experienced forward.
As for Atletico, Simeone is expected to have a full squad available for Saturday's contest.
Antoine Griezmann started on the bench against Rayo last time out, but the experienced forward is expected to earn a recall this weekend, with Alexander Sorloth potentially dropping out despite getting his name on the scoresheet.
There could also be a return to the defensive unit for Jose Gimenez, while Conor Gallagher's goal last time out should see the Englishman keep hold of his starting role in a wide area for the capital giants.
Alaves possible starting lineup:
Sivera; Tenaglia, Garces, Mourino, Sanchez; Guevara, Blanco; Conechny, Guridi, Vicente; Kike Garcia
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Alvarez, Griezmann
We say: Alaves 1-2 Atletico Madrid
This is a tough match to call, as Alaves have been impressive of late, and we are expecting a tight fixture this weekend; Atletico can call upon the greater quality all over the pitch, though, and we are backing the visitors to navigate their way to all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
