Atletico Madrid vs Alaves Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Diego Simeone remains under pressure as Atletico Madrid boss but La Liga’s longest-serving manager remains in charge of Los Rojiblancos as they welcome Deportivo Alaves to the Metropolitano this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 23rd November, 2024: UK – 3:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Atletico Madrid vs Alaves may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Atletico Madrid Preview: Confusing Atleti
Diego Simeone remains in charge of Atletico Madrid but the pressure has been growing on ‘El Cholo’ throughout this season as a result of Los Rojiblancos failing to evolve their style of football more in line with the improvements in the attacking personnel that they have. They have, though, suffered just one defeat in their 13 matches in La Liga so far this season.
Atleti come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Real Mallorca in their most recent outing in the Balearic Islands a couple of weeks ago thanks to a 61st minute winner from Julian Alvarez. They have now enjoyed an impressive run of form with four successive victories across all competitions.
Alaves Preview: Content in Alaves
Last season, Deportivo Alaves finished firmly in the middle-of-the-table following their promotion to the top-flight last season. The Basque club managed to squeeze themselves into the top-half by the end of the campaign, too, despite the fact that there were rumours throughout the campaign that Luis Garcia Plaza may be on the verge of the sack.
Alaves come into this one on the back of a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Villarreal at El Madrigal in their most recent outing before the November international break. Luis Garcia Plaza remains in charge but they have managed just two victories with six defeats in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Atletico Madrid Team News: Injury doubts
Atletico Madrid have been dealing with the absence of France international Thomas Lemar throughout this campaign but they also have a couple of key injury doubts.
Argentina international Nahuel Molina is recovering from a hamstring injury, whilst Marcos Llorente, who has been providing aid to Valencia, is also dealing with an injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez, Lenglet, Reinildo; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Rodrigo Riquelme; Griezmann, Julian Alvarez
Unavailable: Lemar (Injured)
Questionable: Nahuel Molina (Injured), Marcos Llorente (Injured)
Alaves Team News: Key injuries
Right-back Hugo Novoa, who joined from RB Leipzig over the summer, but he is unavailable for this weekend’s clash with Atletico Madrid due to a Hernia issue.
Hugo Novoa remains sidelined alongside central midfielder Carlos Benavidez, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue for the last month or so.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Antonio Sivera; Nahuel Tenaglia, Abqar, Pica, Manu Sanchez; Ander Guevara, Antonio Blanco; Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi, Rebbach; Kike
Unavailable: Hugo Novoa (Injured), Carlos Benavidez (Injured)
Questionable:
Atletico Madrid vs Alaves Prediction
Atletico Madrid have an extremely deep squad with quite a lot of options in attacking positions. The return of Pablo Barrios has further bolstered their tactical flexibility and there will be a hope they can now find some consistency in La Liga. Alaves will travel to the capital city knowing they have the attacking capabilities to hurt anyone in the league but Atletico remain firm favourites ahead of a big week in the UEFA Champions League.
Atletico Madrid vs Alaves Tip: Atletico Madrid to win
