Alaves Vs Atletico Madrid Prediction, Simeone Is Looking For First Victory

Diego Simeone, is still looking for the right scheme for Atletico Madrid at the start of the season (photo: x @Atleti)

JAKARTA Atletico Madrid will try to end their winning drought when they travel to Alaves headquarters at Mendizorrotza Stadium on Saturday 30 August. Los Rojiblancos have only collected one point from La Liga's first two matches this season, while the hosts Alaves have pocketed three points and sit 9th in the standings.

This season opened up sweetly for Alaves after a narrow 2-1 win over Levante, but in the second match they fell 0-1 from Real Betis. Even so, Eduardo Coudet's team's game was quite promising.

On a record basis, Alaves often frustrated Atletico. Of the last three meetings at Mendizorrotza, Atletico have never won (2 times lost, 1 draw). Even for the 2023/24 season, Alaves managed to silence the capital team 2-0 at this stadium. The last time Atleti won here? January 2021. So, this stadium is arguably a angker' for Diego Simeone's troops.

Atletico still failed to click after many squad changes in the summer. They lost 1-2 to Espanyol in the opening match, then only drew 1-1 against Elche in Metropolitano. The result made them scattered in 14th place.

The target for the start of the season is clear: competing with Barca and Madrid, at least finishing in the top three. But if the start is like this, it can be troublesome. Victory over Alaves is a fixed price so Simeone can calm down before facing Villarreal and Real Madrid next month.

Alaves lost injured Lucas Boye, while Hugo Novoa and Nikola Maras are still in doubt. Toni Martinez is predicted to be trusted again as the spearhead, with Mariano D wayz still waiting for the starter's chance.

In the Atletico camp, Jose Gimenez and Alex Baena were absent due to injury. Despite having rotation options such as Griezmann, Raspadori, or Gallagher, Simeone may still install the duet of Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez on the front lines, supported by Giuliano Simeone and Thiago Almada on the wing.

With the Atleti trend still shaky and a bad away record for Mendizorrotza, this match has the potential to be tight. Atletico could be ahead, but Alaves is strong enough at home. The draw seems to be the most realistic.

Alaves (4-2-3-1): Sivera; Jonny, Tenaglia, Garcés, Parada; Ibanez, Blanco; Vicente, Guridi, Alena; Martinez.

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Rugeri; Simeone, Cardoso, Barrios, Almada; Sorloth, Alvarez.

Alaves 1-1 Atletico Madrid