Atletico Madrid vs Alaves
They resumed La Liga action in sixth place but it hasn’t taken too long for Los Rojiblancos to return to the top four and the lucrative Champions League berth such a placing provides.
Their midweek win at Levante was important in two ways.
First, it ensured coach Diego Simeone equalled the great Luis Aragones with his 194th victory in charge of the club.
Second, it ensured Atletico finally made it back into a Champions League qualifying position – something the club has made its own in recent years and vital for continued progression.
After a run of just one win in 11 away league games, the side has now claimed back-to-back away wins and six points on the road has allowed them to jump up to third place in the table.
No wonder the La Liga betting odds make them overwhelming favourites to see off Alaves who have lost three of four since football’s restart, shipping nine goals in the process.
Talking Points
Los Rojiblancos are, of course, already in this season’s quarter-finals of Europe’s premier competition after dispatching the holders.
But they will still want to finish the domestic campaign as high as possible and create some La Liga highlights to add to their European ones at the Wanda Metropolitano.
As they appear to be shaking off their travel sickness, so they are seeing players grow in stature.
Jan Oblak has been arguably the top goalkeeper in the world for the past 18 months or so and recently kept his 100th clean sheet in the Spanish top flight.
In a defence which had to be rebuilt last summer following key departures, Stefan Savic has stepped up to the mark and emerged as a key and commanding figure at the heart of their backline.
Further forward, and there are signs of a partnership between Diego Costa and utility man Fernando Llorente is flourishing.
No wonder they are currently enjoying an 11-match unbeaten run.
By contrast, Alaves are leaking goals left, right, and centre since the restart, including a mauling at Celta Vigo which was even more surprising as it came just after they had defeated Champions League chasing Real Sociedad.
On the road, they last tasted victory in January at fellow mid-table side Levante.
And with little to play for this term, they are virtually safe from the drop and too far adrift to challenge for a European spot. They may just wish for the season to hurry to a conclusion.
The fact Alaves appear to have taken their foot off the gas makes me wonder if this could be another one-sided encounter.
The SBOBET betting odds suggest the same.
Fans at the Wanda Metropolitano have witnessed just one loss all season, that being a late 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in December.
They also know if their side win all their remaining matches, they will be in the Champions League next term.
That level of control of their own destiny is a vast improvement on their situation a month ago and this is why I can’t see anything other than another home win.
History
It was in May 2003 when Alaves last defeated Atletico when Adrian Ilie scored the only goal of the contest at Vicente Calderon.
Alaves were relegated at the end of that season.
Since then, they have met nine times as Alaves have bounced between the divisions, drawing four times with Atletico winning the other five.
That included earlier this season in October when a late Lucas Perez strike earned them a point after Alvaro Morata had put Atletico ahead.
In this fixture last season, Atletico ran as the 3-0 winners, courtesy of goals from Nikola Kalinić, Antoine Griezmann, and Rodri.
Overall, in all competitions, they sides have met 23 times. Atletico have won 13 times and there have been five draws and five Alaves’ successes.
Betting Tip
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Atletico Madrid vs Alaves | Over 2.50 @ 2.17 |
| June 27, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
You can tip Atletico 1X2 @ 1.37 or with Asian Handicap betting -1.50 @ 2.20.
Alaves could give you a nice payday but can you really see 1X2 @ 8.75 or Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 1.99 becoming a reality?
If the visitors are to get something, how about 1X2 draw @ 4.50 or Double Chances Alaves or Draw @ 2.95.
A repeat of the scoreline from last season – correct score 3-0 – is available @ 8.50.
Whichever way you look, I do expect Atletico to make it 13 points from 15 since the restart with a home success.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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