Atlético Madrid will host Espanyol in a La Liga match at the Civitas Metropolitano. Atlético comes into this game in strong form, while Espanyol is struggling to find their footing early in the season. This clash looks set to be a one-sided affair, with the hosts heavily favored.
Key Stats & Insights
- Atlético Madrid’s Dominance: Atlético has won 7 of their last 10 league matches, showcasing their consistent performance. They’ve also been unbeaten against Espanyol in their last six encounters.
- Espanyol’s Struggles: Espanyol has failed to win in their last six away league games and have only scored 0.8 goals per game in their last 10 outings. They have been particularly weak offensively, with their last match resulting in a narrow 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad.
- Head-to-Head: Atlético has a strong recent record against Espanyol, having won three of the last six meetings, with the other three ending in draws. The most recent encounter ended in a high-scoring 3-3 draw.
Team Form and Performance
- Atlético Madrid: Atlético has been in good form, with a record of 7 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw in their last 10 league matches. Their attack has been potent, averaging 1.9 goals per game. Antoine Griezmann remains their top scorer with 6 goals this season, and Jan Oblak has kept 5 clean sheets in the last 10 matches.
- Espanyol: Espanyol’s form has been inconsistent, with 4 wins, 3 losses, and 3 draws in their last 10 matches. They have struggled to score, with an average of 0.8 goals per game, and their defense has also been shaky, conceding 0.4 goals per match.
Head-to-Head Records
Atlético Madrid has dominated recent head-to-head encounters with Espanyol. Despite a thrilling 3-3 draw in their last meeting, Atlético remains unbeaten in their last six matches against Espanyol, showcasing their superiority in this fixture.
Player Form and Availability
- Atlético Madrid: Antoine Griezmann is in excellent form, having scored in their recent 3-0 win over Girona. Alexander Sorloth is expected to start, aiming to replicate his impressive numbers from last season. Atlético has no significant injury concerns, with only Thomas Lemar being a doubt.
- Espanyol: Espanyol will be without Leandro Cabrera due to injury. Javier Puado has been their top scorer with 4 goals this season, but the team has struggled to find consistent offensive output.
Predicted Lineup
- Atlético Madrid (5-3-2): Oblak; Gimenez, Witsel, Le Normand, Molina, Lino; De Paul, Koke, Griezmann; Alvarez, Sorloth.
- Espanyol (3-5-2): Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Gomez; Tejero, Aguado, Gragera, Kral, Olivan; Puado, Veliz.
Market Analysis (Odds)
- Atlético Madrid to Win: With odds of 1.25, Atlético Madrid is the clear favorite, reflecting a 75% implied probability of winning. Given Espanyol’s poor form, this seems a strong bet.
- Total Goals (Under 2.5): Given the teams’ recent performances and defensive setups, betting on under 2.5 goals at -100 is appealing, especially considering the likelihood of a low-scoring affair.
Final Score Prediction & Best Bets
- Final Score Prediction: Atlético Madrid 2-0 Espanyol.
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Best Bets:
- Atlético Madrid to Win at 1.25.
- Under 2.5 Goals at -100.
- Correct Score of 2-0 at +450.