Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Alaves - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico Madrid will be looking to make it four La Liga victories in a row when they welcome Alaves to the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night.

Diego Simeone 's side were sixth when they returned to action in the middle of June but have since moved into the top four, while Alaves currently occupy 13th position in Spain's top flight.

Match preview

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Atletico have certainly had their problems domestically during the 2019-20 campaign, but a strong run of form since returning to action on June 14 has seen them solidify a spot in the top four.

As mentioned, Simeone's side entered the lockdown period in sixth position, but they have taken 10 points from their four matches since then to rise into third position in the table.

Sevilla will have the chance to move back above Atletico before this game kicks off, but the capital outfit are currently six points clear of fifth-placed Getafe and therefore in a strong position to claim a top-four spot.

The Red and Whites thumped Osasuna 5-0 on June 17 before recording back-to-back 1-0 successes over Real Valladolid and Levante, and this weekend's clash precedes a huge game away to Barcelona on Tuesday night.

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Nine wins, eight draws and 14 defeats - that is how Alaves have performed in Spain's top flight this season, with a total of 35 points leaving them in 13th position in the table.

The Basque side are nine points clear of the bottom three, but they will enter this match off the back of two disappointing defeats to Celta Vigo and Osasuna.

Indeed, Asier Garitano 's side conceded six at Celta on June 21 before losing 1-0 at home to Osasuna on Wednesday night, while they have also been beaten by basement side Espanyol since the restart.

It is difficult to imagine Babazorros getting dragged into trouble at this stage, but they will face Atletico and Real Madrid in two of their next four games, which will be slightly concerning for their supporters.

Alaves have lost four of their last five La Liga matches with Atletico, meanwhile, although they did hold the capital giants to a 1-1 draw when the pair locked horns in the reverse match back in October.

Atletico La Liga form: DDDWWW

Atletico form (all competitions): DWDWWW

Alaves La Liga form: DDLWLL

Team News

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Atletico's squad is in relatively strong shape at the moment, with Sime Vrsaljko their only confirmed absentee for this match. Brazilian defender Felipe remains a doubt with a stomach injury, although it has been suggested that he could overcome the problem in time for this weekend's clash.

Simeone, as expected, shuffled his pack against Levante, meaning that there are expected to be wholesale changes for this game ahead of the clash with Barcelona next week.

Angel Correa, Jose Gimenez, Joao Felix, Alvaro Morata and Kieran Trippier are all likely to return to the starting XI, with Marcos Llorente, Santiago Arigas and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco among those expected to drop out.

As for Alaves, Aleix Vidal is again expected to miss out through injury, but Martin Aguirregabiria is available, having served a one-game suspension against Osasuna on Wednesday night.

There are not expected to be too many surprises in the away side's XI for this game, with former Premier League forwards Lucas Perez and Joselu likely to continue in the final third.

Experienced midfielder Tomas Pina could also keep his spot in the middle of the park, although Edgar Mendez is expected to return to the starting XI in a wide position.

Atletico possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Lodi; Koke, Saul, Thomas, Correa; Morata, Felix

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Jimenez; Aguirregabiria, Laguardia, Magallan, Lopez; Sainz, Pina, Pons, Mendez; Perez, Joselu

We say: Atletico 2-0 Alaves

Atletico have only lost one of their 15 home league matches this season, while Alaves have the second worst away record in the division, picking up just nine points. In truth, we are finding it very tough to predict anything other than a comfortable victory for Simeone's side, who are in excellent form.