Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves – Predicted lineup and team news

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The Football Faithful

·18 janvier 2026

Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves – Predicted lineup and team news

Atletico Madrid aim to narrow their 11-point deficit to La Liga leaders Barcelona when they host 16th-placed Deportivo Alaves this Sunday.

The Madrid outfit progressed in the Copa del Rey this week with a disciplined 1-0 win against second-division Deportivo La Coruna, courtesy of Antoine Griezmann’s curling 61st-minute free-kick.

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La Liga-wise, they’ve secured three victories from their past five outings, holding fourth spot on 38 points after 19 fixtures despite a tough opening half of the campaign.

The Madrid giants have established themselves as near-invincible at home in the league, boasting eight victories and one draw from nine league matches at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, while maintaining an exceptional 13-match unbeaten run on home soil.

They are also the only team other than Barcelona who are yet to lose a match at home in the league.

Atletico Madrid team news

Atletico Madrid will head into the fixture without Clément Lenglet, who continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

However, there is a potential boost with Nicolás Gonzalez expected to return from his thigh injury in late January, though his availability for Sunday remains uncertain.

Diego Simeone will likely call upon the attacking prowess of Julián Álvarez, though he has not scored since November in the league.

He leads Atletico’s goal-scoring charts with seven La Liga goals this season. Alexander Sørloth, the Norwegian striker who has netted five goals in 18 league appearances, is set to start as well.