Alaves vs Atletico Madrid: A La Liga Showdown

Alaves vs Atletico Madrid: A La Liga Showdown

The Mendizorrotza Stadium is set to host an intriguing La Liga encounter this Saturday as Alaves welcome Atletico Madrid. Both sides have contrasting objectives as the season enters its crucial final stages. Alaves, fighting for survival, will be looking to build on recent positive form, while Atletico Madrid aims to secure a strong finish and maintain their Champions League aspirations.

Alaves' Fight for Survival

Alaves find themselves in a precarious position, currently occupying 17th place in the La Liga table. With 34 points from 33 matches, Eduardo Coudet's side is just two points clear of the relegation zone. Their season's record of eight wins, 10 draws, and 15 defeats highlights a campaign of struggle, but recent performances offer a glimmer of hope. A significant 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in their last outing demonstrates their potential to upset stronger opposition. Indeed, they have secured two wins in their last four league games, with only a single defeat against Real Madrid.

However, their home form has been a significant challenge, with only 19 points collected from 16 home fixtures. This contrasts with Atletico Madrid's away record, where they have dropped points in nine of their 16 away league games. Interestingly, Alaves managed to beat Atletico 2-0 in the corresponding fixture last term, a result that will undoubtedly fuel their confidence. Nevertheless, the reverse fixture this season saw Atletico emerge victorious with a 2-1 scoreline.

A victory this weekend would be invaluable for Alaves in their bid to avoid the drop. However, a defeat could leave them vulnerable, especially with a tough fixture against Athletic Bilbao looming on May 11th. The team will be relying on key players like Kike Garcia, who has enjoyed a strong season, netting 12 goals.

Atletico Madrid's Season So Far

For Atletico Madrid, this season has been a mixed bag, marked by disappointment in cup competitions despite a generally solid league performance. They were eliminated from the Champions League by fierce rivals Real Madrid in March and subsequently fell in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey to Barcelona. Their league form has also seen their title challenge falter in recent weeks.

Currently sitting third in the table with 66 points from 33 matches (19 wins, 9 draws, 5 defeats), Diego Simeone's men are 10 points behind leaders Barcelona and six adrift of second-placed Real Madrid. While a mathematical chance at the title remains, an extraordinary sequence of results would be required for them to bridge this gap. Despite this, Atletico Madrid is comfortably positioned to secure Champions League qualification for the next season, holding a 12-point advantage over sixth-placed Real Betis with only five games remaining.

The club is reportedly planning for a busy summer transfer window, and the positive signs shown throughout much of the season will offer supporters optimism for the 2025-26 campaign. For this fixture, Atletico will be looking to Antoine Griezmann to recapture his best form, with the Frenchman expected to earn a recall to the starting lineup after being a substitute in their previous match.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Alaves are expected to be without Abdel Abqar due to injury, but otherwise, the squad is in good shape. Head coach Eduardo Coudet may consider bringing Ander Guevara and Tomas Conechny into the starting XI, following their impactful half-time introductions in the victory against Real Sociedad.

Alaves Possible Starting Lineup: Sivera; Tenaglia, Garces, Mourino, Sanchez; Guevara, Blanco; Conechny, Guridi, Vicente; Kike Garcia

Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, is believed to have a full squad available. Jose Gimenez could return to the defence, while Conor Gallagher's impressive recent performance should see him retain his place in a wide role. Alexander Sorloth might make way for the returning Antoine Griezmann.

Atletico Madrid Possible Starting Lineup: Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Alvarez, Griezmann

Head-to-Head Record

The head-to-head record between these two sides shows a competitive history, with recent encounters offering mixed results. As mentioned, Alaves secured a notable 2-0 victory over Atletico last season. However, in the reverse fixture earlier this season, Atletico Madrid clinched a 2-1 win.

Key Players to Watch

• Kike Garcia (Alaves): The experienced forward has been Alaves' main attacking threat this season, and his goal-scoring prowess will be crucial in this match.
• Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid): The French international is a vital player for Atletico. His creativity and finishing ability can unlock any defence. His return to the starting lineup will be a significant boost.
• Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid): Gallagher has been a bright spark for Atletico in recent games, and his energy and goal-scoring threat from midfield could be decisive.

Match Prediction

This is a difficult match to predict, given Alaves' recent upturn in form and their historical ability to trouble Atletico. However, Atletico Madrid possess greater quality across their squad and have more to play for in terms of European qualification. We are backing the visitors to secure a narrow victory in what is expected to be a tight contest.

We say: Alaves 1-2 Atletico Madrid

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Alaves beat Atletico 2-0?

Yes, Alaves beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the corresponding La Liga fixture last season.

What is Alaves' current league position?

Alaves are currently 17th in the La Liga table.

What are Atletico Madrid's chances of winning the league?

Atletico Madrid are 10 points behind the league leaders, making their title chances slim, but they are in a strong position to secure Champions League qualification.

Who is Alaves' top scorer this season?

Kike Garcia is Alaves' top scorer with 12 goals this season.

Where is the match being played?

The match is being played at the Mendizorrotza Stadium.

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