Match Overview
Atletico Madrid welcome Alaves in a La Liga matchup that pits strong home form against a side seeking stability on its travels. Atletico have been efficient in front of goal and disciplined without the ball, characteristics that have underpinned their top-four push. Alaves arrive with mixed away signals: recent struggles for results but a track record of defensive resilience this season. The points matter for both sides—Atletico to consolidate momentum, Alaves to keep clear of the bottom.
- Fixture: Atletico Madrid vs Alaves
- Competition: La Liga
- Venue: Not provided
- Date: 18-01-2026
- Kickoff: / 15:15 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid
- J. Oblak
- D. Hancko
- Marcos Llorente
- Robin Le Normand
- M. Ruggeri
- C. Gallagher
- J. Cardoso
- Jano Monserrate
- L. Nájera
- J. Álvarez
- A. Sørloth
Alaves
- Sivera
- Jonny
- N. Tenaglia
- Jon Pacheco
- Víctor Parada
- Antonio Blanco
- Pablo Ibáñez
- Carles Aleñá
- Jon Guridi
- Toni Martínez
- Carlos Vicente
Injury & Suspension Report
Atletico Madrid
- N. Gonzalez – Muscle Injury
- C. Lenglet – Knee Injury
Alaves
- N. Maraš – Coach’s decision
- L. Boyé – Muscle Injury
- M. Díaz – Coach’s decision
- M. Diarra – Coach’s decision
- F. Garcés – Suspended
Head-to-Head
Across 26 meetings, Atletico Madrid hold the edge with 13 wins, Alaves have 6 victories, and 7 matches have ended level. Recent clashes have generally been tight, averaging under 2.5 total goals across the last seven, including a 1-1 draw in their most recent league meeting on August 30, 2025.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Atletico Madrid’s home form aligns with their trademark blueprint: compact shape, assertive pressing, and quick attacking transitions. They have produced 10 goals across their last five home outings while keeping opponents to limited chances. The squad depth and fitness reported in recent weeks have allowed Diego Simeone to maintain consistency in approach, with Alexander Sørloth a focal point after scoring in three consecutive home matches.
Alaves bring contrasting signals from the road. Results have been scarce—no win or draw in their last five away fixtures and four defeats in that run—yet they have scored once in each of those matches. Their season-long away defensive record shows promise, anchored by Antonio Sivera, who has amassed eight clean sheets in 11 away league games this campaign. The question is whether that resilience can reappear against an efficient Atletico attack.
Alavés under pressure to avoid sliding toward the drop zone
With 19 points, Alaves enter a critical phase where marginal gains matter. Against stronger opposition this season, their output has dipped—just one goal scored across four comparable matchups while conceding six—which underscores the challenge they face against Atletico’s organization and set-piece threat. To take something here, Alaves must compress space in midfield, rely on Sivera’s command of the box, and be clinical on limited counterattacks.
Expect Atletico to control territory and tempo, using wide overloads and direct service into Sørloth to stress Alaves’ back line. If the visitors can keep the game compact, they have shown they can nick a goal, but the balance of form and head-to-head trends favors the hosts in a low-scoring contest. Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Alaves.