The Matchday 3 La Liga encounter between Alaves and Atletico Madrid will take place on August 30 at the Mendizorrotza Stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Alaves vs. Atletico Madrid: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Alaves
The Basque side started the season without any surprises. In the first round, Eduardo Coudet's team predictably defeated Levante at home (2-1), but then lost away to Betis with a score of 0-1. Notably, the defeat by the Seville side ended the club's four-match unbeaten run in La Liga (3 wins and 1 draw).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 11 of Alaves' last 12 matches in La Liga.
- At least one team failed to score in 6 of the club's last 8 league games.
- The Basques are unbeaten in their last 5 home matches in La Liga (3 wins and 2 draws).
Predicted lineup for Alaves (4-4-2)
Antonio Sivera – Facundo Garces, Joni, Nahuel Tenaglia, Victor Parada – Antonio Blanco, Jon Guridi, Pablo Ibanez, Carles Alena – Toni Martinez, Carlos Vicente.
Forward Lucas Boye is sidelined due to injury.
Atletico Madrid
The capital club has been the biggest disappointment at the start of the season. Diego Simeone's team has not yet faced strong opponents, yet they have only earned 1 point. They first lost away to Espanyol (1-2) and then surprisingly drew with Elche at home (1-1). Interestingly, Atletico opened the scoring in both matches. Additionally, this is the first time since Simeone took over as coach in 2011 that Atletico has collected so few points after two opening matches in La Liga.
- At least two goals have been scored in Atletico's last 6 league games.
- In their last 5 away matches in La Liga, Atletico has secured only 1 win (1 draw and 3 losses).
- The club has not scored more than 1 goal in 6 of their last 8 away matches in La Liga.
Predicted lineup for Atletico Madrid (4-3-3)
Jan Oblak – David Ganzko, Robin Le Normand, Matteo Ruggeri, Marcos Llorente – Joao Cardoso, Pablo Barrios, Thiago Almada – Giuliano Simeone, Julian Alvarez, Alexander Sorloth.
Defender Jose Maria Gimenez and midfielder Alex Baena are unavailable due to injuries.
Referee
Victor Garcia (Spain)
Matches – 20 (La Liga, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 90;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 35%.
Match Prediction: Alaves vs. Atletico Madrid
Atletico has struggled at the start of the season, despite facing a newly promoted team and the 14th placed team from last season. In this upcoming match, they will face another lower-table team from the previous La Liga season, which conceded only 17 goals at home (3rd best in La Liga 2024/25). Considering Atletico's attacking issues at the start of the tournament, I expect Diego Simeone's side to struggle to secure 3 points once again.
The Basques have not lost at home in their last five league matches, conceding only 2 goals during this run. It's also worth noting that Alaves has not lost to Atletico in their last 3 home encounters in La Liga (2 wins and 1 draw). Most interestingly, Atletico failed to score in any of these three visits.
My prediction – "Alaves win or draw"
