Atletico Madrid begin their quest to close the 11-point gap to Barcelona when they face Deportivo Alaves, who are currently sitting at 16th place in the league table, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 18th January.
- Kick-off: 3:15pm BST.
- Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid.
Atletico Madrid team news
Los Colchoneros enter without Clément Lenglet, sidelined by an ongoing knee injury. Nicolás González could offer a welcome return from his thigh problem later this month, but his participation remains doubtful.
Simeone is expected to rely on Julián Álvarez’s forward threat, despite his league drought since November, with the forward topping Atletico’s charts on seven goals this term. Norwegian marksman Alexander Sørloth, boasting five strikes across 18 league outings, should feature prominently too.
Deportivo Alaves team news
Alaves will be without suspended Facundo Garces, while injury concerns persist over Lucas Boye, Aitor Manas, and Youssef Enriquez.
Manager Eduardo Coudet, appointed in December following Luis García Plaza’s dismissal, will lean on Carlos Vicente, who has netted four league goals and recently scored a stunning goal in the Copa del Rey against Rayo Vallecano.
Antonio Sivera, the Alaves captain and goalkeeper, will be tasked with stopping Atletico’s flowing attack, having kept three clean sheets this season despite facing a relentless barrage of shots.
Form
Atletico Madrid
Simeone’s side finished their Copa del Rey commitment mid-week with a professional 1-0 victory over second-tier Deportivo La Coruna, with Griezmann’s 61st-minute free-kick proving decisive.
In La Liga, Atletico have won three of their last five matches, positioning themselves fourth with 38 points from 19 games, albeit trailing Barcelona by 11 points after a challenging first half to the season.
Deportivo Alaves
Alaves continue their desperate fight for survival, sitting 16th in the table with just 19 points from 19 matches, a mere two points clear of the relegation zone.
Under Coudet’s guidance since December, the Vitoria-based club showed glimpses of competence in the Copa del Rey, defeating Rayo Vallecano, yet their league campaign remains deeply troubling.
Predicted lineups
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.
How to watch Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves?
UK supporters can tune in on Premier Sports.
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