The teams are back for the La Liga action after an intense round of midweek matches, and we have prepared a two-match preview for our readers, to help them stay in tune with the team news ahead of Atletico vs. Sevilla and Alaves vs. Real Madrid.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. SEVILLA
Three-way: 1: Atletico Madrid -137; X: +326 Draw; 2: Sevilla +530
Spread -1: Atletico Madrid +112; Sevilla -112
Total +2.5: Over -112; Under +110
ATLETICO MADRID
After a wobbly start to their La Liga campaign, Diego Simeone’s men have done well to lift themselves up and get back to their winning form in the subsequent league games. They have stuck to their tested method of a solid structure and hitting teams out unaware with their swift attacks. Diego Simeone has a wonderful squad at his hand, and even without any additions to the squad due to the transfer embargo put upon his squad, he should be more than able to guide his teams through a good run of results to challenge in the La Liga and in the Champions’ league.
Since the start of the season, they have not lost a single match, although this doesn’t paint the entire image as they have struggled to win the couple of matches that they were expected to get a positive result from. Their current record in all competitions over the last 6 games is 3-3-0, while they can still bring inconsistency in their attacking play even after scoring 12 goals as they have drawn a blank in two games, something that is almost a given considering the wonderful attackers and playmakers they have in their squad.
Their last match was a gritty 2:1 wins away at Athletic Bilbao, as the Los Rojiblancos were up against a determined side that was in good form. This match was after they played their first match in their new stadium, The Wanda Metropolitano, where they defeated Malaga by 1:0, thanks to their French talisman Antoine Griezmann, who scored the only goal in an otherwise typical Atleti performance.
Looking at the current tally of goals, it is clear that this squad is not reliant on just one or two players for their goals. Winger Angel Correa has really started the season on a song, as he has netted three goals and assisted another couple in five appearances so far. Following him is fellow winger Yannick Carrasco, and midfielder Koke, who have both created two goals and converted two each. Star forward Griezmann took his time to get involved, due to the suspension he had to serve after getting red-carded against Girona on an opening day.
There are a couple of injury concerns for the fans going into this match. Right back Sime Vrsaljko will be missing this march most probably as he recovers from a foot injury, while midfielder Augusto Fernandez will be out with a muscle injury he sustained last week.
SEVILLA
Sevilla has made a fantastic start to their La Liga campaign, as they have taken away opponents with their blend of decent attacking play with a strong and hard-working defense, which has propelled them to the top of the league standings just below leaders Barcelona. They have also started their Champions League campaign with a determined tone, as they came back from a losing position to draw 2:2 against a shambolic Liverpool defense.
They started their campaign with their Champions League playoff match, and since then, have remained unbeaten in the eight games that they have played. Over their last six matches, their current record has been 4-2-0. During this duration, Sevilla has scored 10 goals, while conceding 4 goals. They also managed to keep impressive four clean sheets in this run, which shows how much they have improved from last season in defensive terms.
Sevilla’s last fixture was a home match against Las Palmas, which they won by 1:0. They had their moments to increase the lead, but somehow, Las Palmas managed to escape with just one goal. Before this match, they visited Girona, who were also defeated by the same scoreline. Such narrow wins show that Sevilla is more than able to eke out results when the match is not going completely to their plans.
Playmaker Ganso is leading the way in goals with two goals in five appearances, while former Manchester City teammates Nolito and Jesus Navas are doing their work from the wings and chipped in with a combined two goals and an assist. New signing Luis Muriel has also scored his first goal for the club, which will ease the fans a bit.
There are a couple of players who are a doubt for the match. New signing Nolito injured his hamstring last week and is a major concern for the weekend fixture. Along with him, it remains to be seen whether the defensive midfielder Guido Pizzaro will be able to recover in time from his calf injury or not.
ATLETICO MADRID vs. SEVILLA- Match Prediction:
This is surely one of the most exciting matches across Europe this weekend. Atletico Madrid is one of the best in the world, while Sevilla is showing its class and efficiency in seeing out matches. This fixture is going to be a close match for sure, as Atletico Madrid will try to use the electric atmosphere of the Wanda Metropolitano to boost their morale, although it must be noted that Sevilla is more than capable of getting a positive result. So, looking at the squad of both the teams, I feel that Atletico will edge out this match with a slender margin. Therefore, my prediction is a home win in this match.
MY PREDICTION: Atletico Madrid to win (-137)
ALAVES vs. REAL MADRID
Three-way: 1: Alaves +1950; X: +730 Draw; 2: Real Madrid -357
Spread +2: Alaves +120; Real Madrid -119
Total +3.5: Over -103; Under +102
ALAVES
If somebody told Alaves fans that they will not have a positive start to the La Liga season, they will have argued a bit, owing to their top half finish last season. However, five matches since the start of their new La Liga campaign, Alaves is looking a total mess. Their attack is in shambles, they are missing chances, and their defense doesn’t look a bit like last seasons. And to add to all this, they have an upcoming match against the current La Liga champions, which doesn’t look like the ideal scenario to come out of a rut.
They have lost all of their league matches so far in this season. What is even more disappointing is the fact that they have failed to score a single goal; such is their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal. In these five matches, their goal has been breached 8, and it down to good goalkeeping and luck that the number isn’t anything more than that.
Last weekend they welcomed Villareal, and it ended up in a 0:3 thrashing of the home team, as the failed to handle the attacking menace of the yellow submarines. In the midweek, they geared up for a visit to Deportivo, hoping to get their first points this season. However, they failed to do so as the home side put in an efficient display to win 1:0, although they must be thankful for the handful of chances that Alaves missed in front of goal.
To add to their woes, forward Bojan is a doubt for the match with a muscle strain he sustained in midweek. He is their only player that looks lively when attacking to be painfully honest. They will also miss the services of defenders Laguardia and Hector Hernandez as they will be out due to knee and Malleolar injuries respectively.
REAL MADRID
Things are not looking really good for Real Madrid right now, although it might have to do with the fact that in the past couple of seasons, they set their standards so high that anything less than brilliant gives out negative vibes. They have also lost their attacking menace in the recent matches in the league, which has led the fans to question the club’s decision to let go of two amazingly talented players in Morata and James, who had the ability to turn the tide of the game with moments of brilliance, something that the current team is finding hard to do.
After a fantastic start to the competitive season where they defeated the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona to win the UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish super cup, they have somewhat tailed off, partly due to the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo in a majority of the subsequent games. Their record over the last six games in all competitions is 3-2-1. To have an idea of the current lack of attacking inspiration, one should look at the fact that even though they scored 12 goals during this period, they finally ended their unreal scoring streak since the end of the 2015-16 season.
Their last match ended their early season unbeaten run, as they lost to Real Betis courtesy of a late winner at the Santiago Bernabeu, wrapping up the contest with a 0:1 final score. This was the first match that Real Madrid has failed to score since the start of last season. Such a defeat was not expected from the La Liga champions after they dispatched Sociedad away last weekend by an emphatic 1:3 scoreline as youngster Borja Mayoral also made his mark.
Welsh winger Gareth Bale is leading the team up front, as he has scored two goals and assisted one in his five league appearances. Following the speedster, is the talented youngster Marco Asensio who has also scored 2 goals in the same number of appearances, although both of them came in the same match.
They are also having a number of injury woes to deal with going into the match. Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is out until November with a Patella rupture, while striker Benzema will miss the match with a hamstring injury. Joining this two on the sidelines are young defenders Jesus Vallejo and Theo Hernandez, although there is a chance that they both might recover in time for the match.
ALAVES vs. REAL MADRID – Match prediction:
Alaves will be desperate to get some points to get their season going, although they wouldn’t fancy it against a strong Madrid side. Granted, that they are also going through a rough patch, but the La Liga champions have more than enough firepower to dispatch Alaves.
So, my prediction for this match will be a comfortable away win, aided by Cristiano Ronaldo who will be eager to prove his abilities after a poor performance against Real Betis in the midweek.
MY PICK: Over 3.5 goals (-103)
