Atletico Madrid vs Alaves Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Ross Jackson
Atletico Madrid’s bid for Champions League football continues on Saturday as they host Alaves in La Liga.
Atletico have been in fine form since their return to league action following the three-month break, with a 1-1 draw at Athletic Club their only dropped points in their first four fixtures back. Tuesday's scrappy 1-0 win over Levante saw Diego Simeone’s men award themselves some breathing space in the race for the top-four, they now sit six-points clear of fifth place Getafe.
The visitors, meanwhile, haven’t enjoyed such a prosperous return. Their 6-0 thumping at Celta Vigo last weekend was compounded by a 1-0 home defeat to Osasuna on Wednesday night.
Here's 90min's preview of the game.
Where to Watch
When is Kick Off? Saturday 27 June
What Time is Kick Off? 21:00 (BST)
Where is it Played? Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Premier Player HD/ LaLiga TV (UK)
Team News
Tuesday night’s win over Levante saw Atletico welcome back Ángel Correa after three weeks out. The Argentina international could be set for a place in the starting XI, with Simeone potentially casting an eye on next week’s clash with Barcelona.
Brazilian defender Felipe remains a doubt with a stomach injury, though reports suggest he could be fit in time to make a return having resumed training this week. Sime Vrsaljko will miss the game through injury.
For the visitors, Aleix Vidal remains sidelined but they will be able to call upon the services of Martin Aguirregabiria, after he served his one-match suspension against Osasuna.
Predicted Lineups
Atletico: Oblak; Trippier, Giminez, Savic, Lodi; Koke, Partey, Saul, Correa; Felix, Costa.
Alaves: Pacheco; Ximo Navarro, Laguardia, Ely, Duarte; Sainz, Camarasa, Pina, Rioja; Pérez, Joselu
Recent Form
The three-month break seems to have done Simeone’s men the world of good. Having picked up just one win in their previous four La Liga games prior to the footballing recess, Atletico have won three of their first four games back and look well set to record another top-four finish.
The visitors were also enduring a tough run before the postponement of the league, failing to pick up a win in any of their three games before the break. However, unlike Atletico, they’ve been unable to stop the rot. They’ve picked up just three points from a possible twelve since their return.
Here's how both teams have fared in their last five games.
Atletico Madrid
Levante 0-1 Atletico (23/06)
Atletico1-0 Valladolid (20/06)
Osasuna 0-5 Atletico (17/06)
Athletic Club 1-1 Atletico (14/06)
Liverpool 2-3 Atletico (AET) (11/03)
Alaves
Alaves 0-1 Osasuna (24/06)
Celta Vigo 6-0 Alaves (21/06)
Alaves 2-0 Real Sociedad (18/06)
Espanyol 2-0 Alaves (13/06)
Alaves 1-1 Valencia (06/03)
Prediction
Atletico have looked sharp since their return. At one point Simeone’s men looked as though they were going to struggle to qualify for next year’s Champions League, however, some fine end-of-season form has seen them move up to third in the table and they now look well set to earn a place in Europe's premier competition next year.
Alaves look likely record another steady mid-table finish, but their form since football's return has been poor and a lacklustre showing at Wanda Metropolitano could see them handed another thumping.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 4-0 Alaves