Alaves will host Atletico Madrid at Estadio Mendisorrosa on May 3, 2025, in what could be a pivotal match for their La Liga survival hopes. The 17:00 kickoff sees two teams with vastly different season objectives colliding in this Spanish top-flight fixture.
The home side currently occupies 17th position in the league table, precariously perched just above the relegation zone with Las Palmas only two points behind them. Following an impressive victory against Real Sociedad, Alaves will be looking to build momentum, though they'll have to do so without their key central defender Abdel Abkar, who remains sidelined after suffering an injury during their recent match against Real Madrid.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, approach this fixture with considerably less pressure. Diego Simeone's men sit comfortably in third place, six points clear of Athletic Bilbao, but with little chance of challenging for the title as they trail Barcelona by 10 points and Real Madrid by six. Despite having little to play for, the Madrid outfit demonstrated their professional approach with a convincing 3-0 derby victory over Rayo Vallecano in their previous outing.
The capital club enjoys a full-strength squad heading into this encounter, giving Simeone numerous tactical options. According to Statbet analysis, Atletico's squad depth could prove decisive in the final stages of this match, particularly if fatigue becomes a factor for the relegation-threatened hosts.
Historically, Alaves has proven to be a challenging opponent for Atletico. In their last five encounters, the Madrid side holds a narrow 3-2 advantage. Their first meeting this season resulted in a tight 2-1 victory for Atletico at the Metropolitano Stadium, suggesting Saturday's clash could be similarly competitive.
Despite Alaves's desperate need for points to secure their top-flight status, the quality differential between the two sides makes Atletico the slight favorites. However, with survival at stake, the home team will undoubtedly bring maximum intensity to what promises to be an engaging La Liga contest.
