Alaves vs Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineups and Team News

Alaves welcome Atletico Madrid to Estadio de Mendizorroza in Round 8 of the 2026 La Liga season, with both sides looking to consolidate strong starts. The hosts sit 6th on 11 points after 7 matches, with a positive goal difference of +5 (11 scored, 6 conceded). Atletico arrive as early title contenders in 2nd place, on 16 points from 7 games and a +9 goal difference (16 scored, 7 conceded).

Recent league form underlines how finely poised this fixture is. Alaves have put together a run of DLLWW in their last five in the league, while Atletico’s sequence of WWWLW shows a slightly stronger trend, backed up by an 80% form index over the last five compared to Alaves’ 47%. With European qualification places and the title race in mind, this is a high‑stakes clash, and predicted lineups for both sides will be closely scrutinised by bettors and analysts ahead of kickoff.

Head‑to‑head history has been relatively balanced in recent seasons, with tight scorelines and several draws, but current metrics and betting markets lean towards Atletico. Still, Alaves’ impressive home record this season (3 wins from 4, 9 goals scored) suggests a competitive contest where the expected starting lineup and in‑game adjustments could prove decisive.

Alaves Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for Alaves in the current data. As a result, they approach this match with what appears to be a full squad. That allows maximum flexibility for the coaching staff to select an expected lineup tailored to Atletico’s strengths, particularly their powerful attack and strong second‑half scoring profile.

Alaves’ league form string of DLLWW highlights a side that has recently found solutions in attack, scoring 11 goals in 7 league fixtures and maintaining a solid defensive record of just 6 conceded. At home they have been particularly effective, and with no significant absences reported, the manager is likely to stick close to his core group of regular starters, built around key attacking threats L. Boyé and M. Díaz, supported by creative and hard‑working midfielders.

Alaves Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: Sivera
DF: Jonny, N. Tenaglia, N. Valentini, Hugo Novoa
MF: Antonio Blanco, Guevara, Carles Aleñá, C. Benavídez
FW: L. Boyé, M. Díaz

This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on the players driving Alaves’ attacking output in La Liga so far. Up front, L. Boyé has been a standout with 4 goals from 6 league appearances, offering a strong physical presence, aerial threat, and work rate in pressing phases. Alongside him, M. Díaz adds end product and link play, with 3 goals and 3 assists in 7 appearances – making him both a top scorer and one of the league’s leading assist providers.

Behind them, Antonio Blanco anchors midfield with his ball‑winning and distribution; his high yellow‑card count (3 so far) underlines how aggressive he is in duels and how important he is in breaking up play. Carles Aleñá and C. Benavídez provide technical quality and progression from deeper zones, while Guevara adds balance and defensive cover. Out wide and in the back line, Jonny and N. Tenaglia bring experience and solidity, with N. Valentini and Hugo Novoa completing a compact defensive unit in front of Sivera. Expect Alaves to use an organised, relatively conservative defensive block, looking to transition quickly through Díaz and Boyé, and to exploit set‑pieces where their forwards’ physicality can trouble Atletico.

Atletico Madrid Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Like Alaves, Atletico Madrid have no listed injuries or suspensions in the current information, so they are also expected to travel with a full squad. That is particularly important given their demanding schedule and the tactical flexibility Diego Simeone’s side have shown, alternating between different shapes such as a back four or a three‑centre‑back system in recent matches.

Atletico’s league form string of WDWLWWW and an 80% recent form index underline a team in strong rhythm. They have scored 16 goals in 7 league games, with a strong second‑half scoring profile and a potent mix of creativity and finishing. With no significant absences reported, the manager has the luxury of selecting from a deep pool of quality, and lineups today should again feature their main attacking weapons, including Álex Baena and J. David, supported by the hard‑working G. Simeone.

Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: J. Oblak
DF: Álex Grimaldo, D. Hancko, Robin Le Normand, Marcos Llorente
MF: Koke, M. Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, Lee Kang-In
FW: Álex Baena, J. David

This expected starting lineup balances Atletico’s strong defensive base with significant attacking firepower. In goal, J. Oblak remains the obvious first choice, protected by a back line featuring D. Hancko and Robin Le Normand as central pillars, with Álex Grimaldo and Marcos Llorente offering width, ball progression, and overlapping runs. Le Normand’s presence is notable given his red card earlier in the season; his aerial ability and reading of the game are vital against a physically imposing Alaves front line.

In midfield, Koke and M. Hjulmand provide control, pressing structure, and passing range, while Pablo Barrios and Lee Kang-In bring dynamism and creativity between the lines. Further forward, Álex Baena has been one of La Liga’s standout performers so far with 4 goals and 1 assist in 7 appearances, operating nominally as an attacker but with the ability to drop into pockets and dictate play. Alongside him, J. David has been ruthlessly efficient, scoring 3 goals and adding 1 assist in just 160 minutes of league football. G. Simeone, another key contributor with 2 goals and 2 assists, is a strong candidate to feature heavily off the bench or rotate into the front line, given his work rate and pressing intensity.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no recorded injuries or suspensions for either side, this match shapes up as a rare meeting where both coaches can rely on full squads. That increases the tactical depth on both benches and raises the importance of in‑game management, substitutions, and the ability to change the rhythm of the contest from the sidelines.

Alaves Absences:

No significant absences reported.

Atletico Madrid Absences:

No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, this is a clash between Alaves’ organised, physically robust structure and Atletico Madrid’s more expansive but still disciplined approach. Alaves, who have alternated between three‑centre‑back and deeper defensive shapes this season, are likely to prioritise compactness between the lines, denying space for Baena and Lee Kang-In to operate. Their defensive record of just 6 goals conceded in 7 league games, plus 3 clean sheets, shows they can keep games tight. The predicted back four in front of Sivera will look to stay narrow, forcing Atletico wide and trusting their central midfielders, especially Antonio Blanco and Guevara, to disrupt combinations in the half‑spaces.

Atletico, by contrast, have averaged 2.3 goals per league match and boast a strong overall comparison index advantage, leading 54.5 to 45.5. Their attack index is significantly higher than Alaves (63 vs 37), reflecting the influence of Álex Baena, J. David and G. Simeone in the final third. The wide areas could be decisive: Grimaldo’s delivery from the left and Marcos Llorente’s powerful runs from the right can pin back Alaves’ full‑backs, opening channels for late midfield runs from Koke or Barrios. However, Alaves’ own attacking quality should not be underestimated. With L. Boyé and M. Díaz combining for 7 goals and 3 assists, plus Angel Pérez and A. Rebbach offering dribbling and creativity from advanced roles, the hosts are well equipped to exploit transitions, especially if Atletico commit numbers forward.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a finely balanced outcome. The prediction model assigns Alaves just a 10% chance of victory, with both the draw and an Atletico win each rated at 45%. The comparison indices slightly favour Atletico overall (54.5 vs 45.5), and their superior recent form, higher attacking index, and deeper bench justify that edge. However, the Poisson index leans more towards the hosts than expected (61 vs 39), reflecting Alaves’ strong home scoring profile and their ability to keep matches tight.

Pre‑match odds from major bookmakers imply Atletico are clear but not overwhelming favourites. Away prices range roughly from 1.75 to 1.91, which translates to an implied win probability of around 52–57%. Home odds between about 3.76 and 4.32 imply a 23–27% chance for Alaves, while draw odds from 3.26 to 3.84 suggest a 26–31% likelihood of a stalemate. With the predictions block not providing an explicit expected goals scoreline, and with both the draw and Atletico win rated equally at 45%, the most reasonable verdict is a tight, low‑scoring encounter where Atletico’s extra quality in the final third just about tips the balance, but the draw remains a very live outcome.

Predicted Outcome: Alaves 1–1 Atletico Madrid

How to Watch Alaves vs Atletico Madrid Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

Spain: To be confirmed by local broadcasters closer to kickoff.
UK: Coverage expected on a major sports broadcaster (check local listings).
USA / North America: Likely available via a leading soccer streaming platform or cable sports network.
South America: Regional sports networks and streaming services are expected to carry La Liga coverage.
MENA: Access typically provided through regional pay‑TV sports channels and associated streaming apps.