Diego Simeone’s side can put pressure on title rivals Real Madrid with a win, with Atletico’s game coming much earlier in the day.
Barcelona host Levante as they try to get their title charge back on track, while Valencia and Athletic Bilbao also go head-to-head this weekend.
Timid Alaves Set to Struggle
Alaves have made a disastrous start to the new La Liga campaign, losing all five of their games so far.
Real Madrid, Mallorca, Valencia, Osasuna and Espanyol have all got the better of Alaves, while Atletico are unbeaten. Alaves have played one less game than most of the division, but their record against Atletico is poor.
Atletico have not lost to Alaves since 2003, and they have won seven of the previous ten meetings.
Alaves have failed to score in four of their games so far, and an away win to nil looks appealing at 13/10.
Mestalla to Stage La Liga Thriller
Valencia and Athletic Bilbao meet on Saturday afternoon, and both sides lost their previous league games.
Los Che have lost successive matches against Real Madrid and Sevilla, but they have shown plenty of spirit in both of those.
Rayo Vallecano got the better of Bilbao in midweek, and because of that, it looks very tough to pick a winner.
However, goals look likely and over 2.5 appeals at 13/10. There have been eight goals scored in the previous three matches between the two sides, while over 2.5 goals would have landed in all four of Valencia’s previous matches.
Ancelotti’s Side can Sink Yellow Submarine
Villarreal are yet to lose this season, but Unai Emery’s side does not have much to show for that run of results.
The Yellow Submarine have won just one of their five league games, while they were held to a 2-2 draw by Atalanta in the Champions League.
There’s every chance they will come good in time, but that’s not to say it will be this weekend.
Real Madrid have won five games on the bounce, and their morale-boosting 6-1 win over Mallorca will have helped them ahead of Saturday’s battle.
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@TheRealSalgado
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Santiago Bernabéu
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— Real Madrid C.F.
(@realmadriden) September 24, 2021
Carlo Ancelotti’s team have scored 11 goals in the previous two matches on home soil, and they should have enough quality to get past Villarreal.
A home win and both teams to score catches the eye at 41/20, and the history books back it up.
Real Madrid have won the last three meetings between the pair at home, and both sides have scored during that time, with Madrid winning 2-1 on two occasions as well as 3-2 back in May 2019.
*All odds correct at time of writing