Atletico Madrid vs Alaves Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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As they seek to stay in touch with the teams at the very top, Atletico Madrid welcome Deportivo Alaves to the Metropolitano in the Spanish capital city.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Atletico Madrid preview: Evolving but inconsistent
Atletico Madrid come into this one on the back of a mixed start to 2026. Los Rojiblancos’ year began with a soon to be respectable 1-1 draw away at a new look and improving Real Sociedad in the Basque Country.
Since then, they succumbed to a Supercopa de Espana semi-final loss to Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia before edging past Galician giants Deportivo La Coruna in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Alaves preview: Additional Heading Here
Much like Atleti, Alaves also progressed into the last eight of the cup as they defeated Rayo Vallecano by two goals to nil in midweek, courtesy of second half strikes by Toni Martinez and Carlos Vicente either side of a Isi Palazon red card for Rayo.
That has given Argentine coach Eduardo Coudet and his Basque outfit a bit of respite as they hover just above the bottom three and the relegation places.
Atletico Madrid team news: Couple of issues
Experienced France international centre-back Clement Lenglet is a confirmed absentees for Atletico this weekend, while Nicolas Gonzalez is also a doubt due to a thigh issue.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Alex Baena; Sorloth, Julian Alvarez
Unavailable: Lenglet (Injured)
Questionable: Gonzalez (Injured)
Alaves team news: Lucas Boye a doubt
Lucas Boye is a major doubt for Alaves this weekend but that is the only fresh concern that the visitors have as they make the trip to the capital city.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Antonio Sivera; Jonny, Tenaglia, Jon Pacheco, Yusi; Antonio Blanco; Carlos Vicente, Pablo Ibanez, Jon Guridi, Carles Alena; Toni Martinez
Unavailable: Garces (Disciplinary)
Questionable: Lucas Boye (Injured)
Atletico Madrid vs Alaves prediction
Atletico Madrid have, as expected due to the enormous level of spending of recent seasons, evolved their style to become slightly more enjoyable to watch but they remain a very reactive side. Only Getafe and Real Oviedo have scored fewer than Alaves sixteen goals this season so, while the hosts should win it will probably be a fairly tedious watch for the neutral.
Atletico Madrid vs Alaves tip: Atletico Madrid to win & under 3.5 goals
