Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo Alaves 28/06/20

28 June 2020

La Liga’s best home defense (nine goals conceded) and the division’s third joint-worst away attack (11 goals scored) will face off against each other at the Wanda Metropolitano this weekend, as Atletico Madrid take on Deportivo Alaves.

The hosts have avoided defeat in all four of their post-pandemic La Liga encounters, winning the last three (D1), as they come into this clash on the back of a nine-game unbeaten league run (W5, D4). Unsurprisingly, four of their five victories during the abovementioned streak saw Atletico Madrid keep a clean sheet, which has been the case in 64.29% (nine) of their 14 La Liga wins this season. A similar scenario could take place here, given that all four of Atletico’s top-flight home wins over Alaves since 1998 saw the visitors shut out. But, if Los Colchoneros allow Alaves to score here, they are likely to do it before the break, as seven of their nine league home goals conceded this term came in the first half of play (77.78%).

Meanwhile, the visitors head to the capital on a run of five league away games without a win (D3, L2), seeking their only their third La Liga road win of the season and first against a side from the upper half of the table. For Alaves, goals have been at a premium away from home. Asier Garitano’s men have drawn a blank in six of 15 La Liga road trips so far, scoring precisely once per game in seven of the other nine. Moreover, Alaves’ tendency to produce utterly underwhelming first-half performances has seen them score a league joint-low two first-half goals on the road this season. Therefore, it’s not strange that they’ve shipped the opening goal in 73.33% (11) of 15 La Liga away games this campaign.