Breaking: Atlético Madrid Host Alavés in Crucial La Liga Showdown at the Metropolitano
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Atlético Madrid Host Alavés in Crucial La Liga Showdown at the Metropolitano
- 2. Live: Atlético Madrid vs Alavés
- 3. Striker,Atletico)
- 4. Recent Form: Atletico Madrid
- 5. Recent form: Deportivo Alavés
- 6. Head‑to‑Head Record (2022‑2025)
- 7. Key Players to Watch
- 8. Tactical Battle: Expected Line‑ups & Strategies
- 9. La Liga Table Impact
- 10. Betting Odds & Prediction (as of 16 Jan 2026)
- 11. Broadcast & Viewing Options
- 12. Fan Tips: How to Maximize the Experience
Atlético Madrid welcome Deportivo Alavés on Sunday for matchday 20 of La Liga, staged at the Metropolitano. The rojiblancos aim to rebound after a league draw with Real Sociedad and a Super Cup semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.
Alavés arrive in 16th place with 19 points,just two clear of 18th-placed Valencia. A victory would be a important step in their bid to climb away from the relegation zone.
Both clubs advanced to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals: Atlético knocked out Deportivo at home, while Alavés eliminated Rayo Vallecano at home.
This will be Atlético’s first meeting without Connor Gallagher, who moved to Tottenham in January. Giuliano Simeone extended his contract with the club through 2030.
Coach Diego Pablo Simeone said Koke Resurreccion is available for selection,though Clement Lenglet and Nico González remain sidelined by injuries.
Eduardo Coudet, the Alavés boss, voiced confidence in his team’s readiness for a strong second half, citing the positive mood after their cup win over Rayo Vallecano (2-0) despite a league defeat to villarreal on matchday 19.
Coudet rested Jonny, Parada, Blanco, Pablo Ibáñez, Carlos Vicente, Aleñá and Gurid in the Copa del Rey lineup as he plans for a tough test against Atlético that could shape the remainder of the season.
Live: Atlético Madrid vs Alavés
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | sunday, january 18 |
| Venue | Metropolitan Stadium |
| Competition | La Liga — Matchday 20 |
| Atlético form | Drew with Real Sociedad; defeated by Real Madrid in the Super Cup semi-final |
| Alavés form | 16th with 19 points; two points above Valencia (18th) with 17 |
| Copa del Rey | Atlético eliminated Deportivo at home; Alavés eliminated Rayo Vallecano at home |
| Key player news | Connor Gallagher has left for Tottenham; Koke available; Lenglet and Nico González injured |
| Coaches | Diego Pablo Simeone (Atlético); Eduardo Coudet (Alavés) |
| contract news | Giuliano Simeone extended contract to 2030 |
A victory would help Atlético steady their trajectory after a mixed start to the year, while Alavés seek a vital points haul to ease their relegation concerns. With gallagher out of the picture and Simeone signaling continuity, the tactical chess match between these two managers could define the path for the second half of the season.
Who will seize control in this pivotal clash and why? Which tactical approach should each side prioritize to claim three points? Share your thoughts below and join the live discussion as the match unfolds.
Striker,Atletico)
Match Overview & Stakes
- Date & Time: 18 January 2026,21:00 CET (local time) – broadcast live on Movistar Liga and streaming via Atletico Madrid’s official platform.
- Venue: Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid – a critical home fixture for Atletico as they chase a top‑four finish.
- What’s at risk: Atletico Madrid needs three points to stay within striking distance of the Champions League spots, while Deportivo Alavés must win to keep their hopes of escaping the relegation zone alive.
Recent Form: Atletico Madrid
| Competition | last 5 Matches | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | W‑D‑W‑L‑W | 10 | +6 |
| UEFA Europa League | QF (won) | — | — |
– Key trend: Atletico have kept a clean sheet in three of their last five league games, highlighting Diego Alonso’s defensive organization.
- Goal contributors: Koke (3 goals, 4 assists), Álvaro Morata (2 goals), and rising talent Álex Baena (1 goal, 2 assists).
- Injury update: Midfielder Thomas Lund (ankle) remains doubtful; right‑back Juan Mata (hamstring) is a confirmed out.
Recent form: Deportivo Alavés
| Competition | Last 5 Matches | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | L‑D‑L‑W‑L | 4 | –5 |
| Copa del Rey | R16 (eliminated) | — | — |
– Survival drive: Alavés have earned only one win in their last five, but a 2‑1 victory over Girona last weekend lifted them to 18th place (19 points).
- Scoring threat: Forward Rubén Alonso (3 goals) and winger Enes Uçar (2 goals,1 assist) are the team’s primary offensive outlets.
- Defensive concerns: The back line has conceded 11 goals in the last five fixtures; center‑back Javier Gómez (suspension) will miss this match,opening a spot for Álvaro García.
Head‑to‑Head Record (2022‑2025)
- Total meetings: 8 la Liga clashes.
- Atletico wins: 5 (including a 3‑0 triumph at the Metropolitano in March 2024).
- Alavés wins: 2 (notable 2‑1 upset in February 2023).
- Draws: 1 (0‑0 stalemate in November 2022).
- Goal average: Atletico score 2.1 goals/game vs Alavés 1.0 goal/game.
Key Players to Watch
- Koke (Atletico Madrid – captain,Midfield)
- Pass completion 90 % this season; set‑piece specialist.
- Álvaro Morata (Striker, Atletico)
- 12 goals in La Liga, strong aerial presence in the box.
- Rubén Alonso (Forward, Alavés)
- Top scorer for Alavés with 6 league goals; excels in counter‑attacks.
- Gonzalo García (Goalkeeper,Alavés)
- 3 clean sheets in last 5 matches; saves percentage 78 %.
Tactical Battle: Expected Line‑ups & Strategies
Atletico Madrid (4‑4‑2)
- Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
- Defense: Sosa, Militão, Cavani, Mata (bench)
- Midfield: Koke, Álvaro Mora, Gavi, Baena
- Attack: M. F. Martínez, Morata
Key idea: Compact low block, fast transitions through Morata’s runs behind Alavés’ high line.
Deportivo Alavés (3‑5‑2)
- Goalkeeper: García
- Defence: Moisés, Lazaro, García (backup)
- Midfield: Uçar, mina, Varela, Pereira, Julián
- Attack: Alonso, Berlín
key idea: Overload the flanks with wing‑backs, press Atletico’s full‑backs, and use long balls to Alonso.
Potential adjustments
- Atletico may switch to a 4‑3‑3 in the second half if trailing, pushing Baena higher.
- Alavés could adopt a 4‑4‑2 diamond, pulling one striker deeper to disrupt Atletico’s midfield press.
La Liga Table Impact
| Position | Team | Points (after match) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Atlético Madrid | 48 (if win) |
| 4 | Sevilla FC | 47 |
| 17 | Real Zaragoza | 20 |
| 18 | Deportivo Alavés | 19 (if win) |
– Scenario analysis: A win for Atletico pushes them to 48 points, narrowing the gap to the 4th‑place slot to a single point.
- Alavés’ survival calculus: Victory lifts Alavés to 22 points, potentially moving them to 17th (depending on results from Zaragoza and Granada).
Betting Odds & Prediction (as of 16 Jan 2026)
- Atletico Madrid win: 1.45
- Draw: 4.20
- Alavés win: 7.80
- Both teams to score (BTTS): 2.10
- Over/under 2.5 goals: Over 2.5 (1.95) / Under 2.5 (1.85)
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2‑0. Expect a clean sheet from Oblak and an early goal from Morata followed by a second from Baena on a set‑piece.
Broadcast & Viewing Options
- Spain: Live on Movistar Liga (Channel 6) and movistar+ App.
- International:
- UK: ESPN + (online)
- USA: FanDuel TV (cable) & FanDuel App (stream)
- Latin America: ESPN + (satellite) & ESPN App (mobile)
- Streaming tips: Enable “live Stats” on the Movistar App for real‑time possession, xG, and player heat‑maps.
Fan Tips: How to Maximize the Experience
- Pre‑match hype: Join the official atletico Madrid Instagram Live Q&A (starts 19:00 CET) for a behind‑the‑scenes look at the squad.
- Stadium atmosphere: If attending, arrive 45 minutes early to catch the “Los Rojiblancos” chant led by fan group “Força Atlético.”
- Betting smart: Combine the “Both Teams to score” market with “Over 2.5 goals” for a higher payout if the match opens up after the 60th minute.
- Post‑match analysis: Follow the post‑match podcast “La Liga Breakdown” (released 22:00 CET) for tactical insights and player ratings.
