Atletico vs Alaves: can Atletico secure a home victory?
In Matchday 20 of Spain’s La Liga, we will see a clash between Atletico Madrid and Alaves. The game will take place on Sunday, 18 January, with kick-off scheduled for 16:15 CET, and I am offering a betting pick for this fixture.
Atletico Madrid vs Alaves: match facts and head-to-head
- Atletico Madrid have lost one of their previous seven matches.
- At home, Atletico Madrid remain unbeaten in La Liga.
- Atletico Madrid have scored at least one goal in seven consecutive matches.
- Alaves have won one of their last four matches.
- Alaves have lost their last two away games and four of their last five on the road.
- Atletico Madrid boast the best defensive record in La Liga, having conceded just 17 goals.
- Alaves have the third-worst attacking record in La Liga with 16 goals scored.
- In 44% of their matches this season, Atletico Madrid have scored in both halves.
- Atletico Madrid have lost only 7% of their matches without scoring this season, compared to 26% for Alaves.
- Alaves and Atletico Madrid played out a 1:1 draw in their most recent head-to-head meeting.
Atletico Madrid vs Alaves: match preview
Atletico Madrid sit inside the top four of the La Liga table and are fighting for higher positions. They can push for better spots if they continue to deliver consistently strong performances. The Colchoneros currently have 38 points after 19 matches. They are fourth in the standings, three points behind third place and seven adrift of second. As a result, Atletico will clearly be aiming for a top-three finish and potentially even second place, given Real Madrid’s inconsistency. Atletico also have the best defence in La Liga, with only 17 goals conceded.
Alaves are currently in the lower part of the La Liga table and will be battling for survival. The team have collected 19 points from 19 matches and sit in 16th place. Their cushion above the relegation zone is just two points, meaning the second half of the season will be challenging for Alaves. A few days ago, they defeated Rayo Vallecano 2:0 in the Copa del Rey, but in La Liga they are on a four-match losing streak. Across 19 league matches, Alaves have scored only 16 goals, the third-worst attacking return in the division.
Probable line-ups
- Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Hancko, Pubill, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Baena; Sorloth, Alvarez
- Alaves: Sivera; Jonny, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Parada; Ibanez, Blanco; Vicente, Suarez, Alena; Martinez
Prediction
Atletico Madrid face an Alaves side that are struggling near the bottom of the table. I believe the Colchoneros have enough quality to claim victory in this match, and I am recommending a bet on Atletico Madrid to score over 1.5 goals.
