Atletico vs Alaves: Madrid Win to Nil for the Third Time

Saturday's pool of the La Liga round 30 will end with a match between Atletico Madrid and Alaves. For obvious reasons, the capital team is quoted as the favorite. The Indians are unlikely to compete with Real Madrid for the Primera Division title, but Simeone's team has not yet secured a spot in the top-4. Therefore, we cannot speak about the high motivation of the Madrid team in the upcoming meeting.

The winning streak of Atletico counts five matches, the non-defeated series was extended to seven matches after beating Rayo Vallecano. In the UCL, Atletico outplayed Manchester United - an excellent achievement. After 29 rounds, the Indians occupy fourth place in La Liga, four points ahead of Betis and eight points behind Real Madrid. The winning series eloquently demonstrates that Atletico are in great shape. Moreover, Simeone's team did not concede in the away matches with Manchester United and Rayo Vallecano. In the second part of the season, Madrid have become more like themselves the best examples of Simeone's time.

Atletico's home statistics are fourth in the division, being behind Real Madrid, Sevilla and Villarreal. Of the 15 games played at the Wanda Metropolitano, the Indians won 9 times, drew three times and two losses, on a goal difference of 25:13. At home, Atletico have a sparing calendar ahead, but a very busy schedule overall. After all, Madrid will play two UCL fixtures in the domestic arena, with a sparing calendar ahead, 

The latest results of Alaves are almost mirror to those of Madrid. The last time the Basques won was on February 13 at home - a victory over Valencia. Since then, Alaves drew twice with Getafe and Sevilla and lost four times to Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Granada and Bordeaux in a friendly. It is obvious that Alaves is not doing well, they stuck in the relegation zone. After 29 rounds, the visiting team have 22 points, five points behind 17th Cádiz.

Alaves also has very weak away stats. In 14 away matches they gained only one win, 10 losses and three draws, with the goal difference of 11:30. In the past five away matches Alaves played only once in a draw, losing four times. 

Atletico has recently become more like itself than in the first part of the season. For example, in the last two away matches, Madrid managed to win and not concede. If Manchester United's powerful attack didn't produce a goal, why should the reigning Spanish champions concede from one of La Liga's outsiders?

We think that the upcoming game will not be very productive. Atletico does not need a goal against the Basques; the Spaniards might as well limit themselves to two goals.

Also, we do not expect more than two goals from Atletico before a tough encounter with Manchester City.

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