After crashing out of the Champions League at the hands of Manchester City, Atletico Madrid return to La Liga action this Sunday as they welcome Espanyol to the Wanda Metropolitano.
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano (Madrid)
Key Statistics
Atletico Madrid are unbeaten across their last four competitive games at home (three wins and two draws).
They have failed to score in just two of their last eleven home games in all competitions.
The hosts have scored 2+ first-half goals in just one of their last 23 La Liga matches.
Espanyol have won just three of their last 12 league games (four draws and five losses).
They are winless in their last five away league games.
The visitors have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches but are yet to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 away games in all competitions.
Head to head
Atletico Madrid have eight wins in their last 15 head-to-head meetings with Espanyol. The visitors have four wins in that same period.
Latest performances in all competitions
Atletico Madrid: D-L-L-W-W
Espanyol: W-L-W-D-W
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid will look to put the disappointment in the UEFA Champions League behind them when they play Espanyol on Sunday.
Diego Simeone’s side crashed out of the UCL on Wednesday after being held to a goalless draw by Manchester City. Although the hosts outplayed their English opponents at the Wanda Metropolitano, they were unable to get one past Ederson in a tense football match with tempers flaring up at the closing stages and after full time. Kevin De Bruyne’s goal in the first leg was enough to sink the Rojiblancos.
They will now turn their attention to domestic action as they take on Espanyol at the Wanda Metropolitano. Los Rojiblancos also succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Mallorca last time out in La Liga, a loss which ultimately ended their run of a six-game winning streak.
They are currently in the top four, occupying the fourth position. But with Real Betis one point behind and Real Sociedad not far behind, Diego Simeone knows that nothing but a win will suffice when they take on Espanyol.
In the last five games against the Catalan club, Diego Simeone’s men have lost just once, also claiming a victory in the reverse fixture and will come into this game as favourites to get all three points.
Hector Herrera will miss the game against Espanyol after being diagnosed with a thigh injury.
Possible Atletico Madrid starting line-up
Jan Oblak; Felipe, Stefan Savic, Reinaldo Mandava; Marcos Llorente, Renan Lodi, Koke, Rodrigo De Paul, Sime Vrsaljko; Joao Felix, Angel Correa.
Injured: Hector Herrera
Doubtful: Jose Gimenez
Suspended: None
Espanyol
Espanyol saw their three-game-unbeaten streak halted by Real Sociedad last two weeks, but picked up right from where they left off when they welcomed Celta Vigo to the RCDE Stadium last Sunday.
The Catalans club secured a 1-0 win over Celta courtesy of an 88th-minute strike from Substitute Wu Lei.
Vicente Moreno’s men now sit 11th in the La Liga standings with 39 points after 31 rounds of football.
After dropping down to the Segunda Division in the 2019/20 season, the La Periquitos immediately returned to La Liga by winning the Segunda Division and look set to retain their place in the top tier once more this season.
Vicente Moreno’s side must now overcome an Atletico Madrid side who hasn’t won in their last three games to solidify their place in the league come next season.
Espanyol’s away record this season will be a source of concern for Vicente Moreno with his side winning only three games away from home all season.
Possible Espanyol starting line-up
Diego Lopez; Oscar Gil, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Adria Pedrosa; Sergi Darder, Keidi Bare, Yangel Herrera; Javi Puado, Adrian Embarba, Tonny Vilhena.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Espanyol