Atletico Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they welcome Celta Vigo to Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday evening.
Diego Simeone's side are second in the La Liga table, only one point behind division leaders Real Madrid following last weekend's 1-1 draw in the Madrid derby, while Celta occupy 12th, and they will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 success over Real Betis.
Match preview
© Imago
Atletico took the lead against Real Madrid in the Madrid derby at Bernabeu last weekend, with Julian Alvarez finding the back of the net from the penalty spot, but Kylian Mbappe levelled the scores in the early stages of the second period.
Simeone's side are second in the La Liga table, one point behind the leaders Real Madrid and one clear of third-placed Barcelona, with a fascinating title race developing in Spain's top flight.
Atletico have a record of 14 wins, seven draws and two defeats from their 23 league matches this season, while they have the best defensive record, having only conceded 15 times.
The Red and Whites have the best home record in Spain's top flight this season, meanwhile, picking up 30 points from 12 matches, remaining unbeaten in the process, and these are the type of games that they need to win in order to be serious title contenders in the final straight.
Atletico are on a seven-game winning run against Celta in Spain's top flight, including a 1-0 victory in Vigo earlier this season, while they have not been beaten by the Sky Blues in the league since September 2018.
© Imago
Not since June 2007 have Celta beaten Atletico away from home in La Liga, which is an indication of the size of their task this weekend, but Claudio Giraldez's side will enter the match off the back of a morale-boosting win.
Indeed, the Sky Blues recorded a 3-2 home success over Real Betis last time out, with the hosts actually coming from two goals behind to triumph, with their winner coming in the 87th minute through Williot Swedberg.
Celta have a record of eight wins, four draws and 11 defeats from their 23 league matches this season, which has left them in 12th spot in the division on 28 points, only three points behind seventh-placed Real Sociedad.
Giraldez's team have been an entertaining watch in La Liga this term, scoring 34 goals but conceding 37, which is actually the joint-third worst defensive record in Spain's top flight this season.
Celta certainly have the attacking players to cause Atletico problems on Saturday evening, but the hosts must keep winning to stay in the title race, and there is no question that Simeone's side will enter the match as the heavy favourites.
Team News
© Imago
Atletico's squad is in excellent shape at this moment in time, with no injuries being reported, while Robin Le Normand will be back in the squad after missing the Madrid derby last weekend through suspension.
Le Normand may find himself on the bench, with head coach Simeone potentially selecting the same XI from the Madrid derby, meaning that Nahuel Molina and Alexander Sorloth are again expected to be kept in reserve.
Conor Gallagher was left out of the XI last weekend and also did not feature as a substitute, and it is likely that Samuel Lino will retain his spot down the left for the Red and Whites on Saturday.
As for Celta, Carl Starfelt and Ilaix Moriba will be back in the squad after serving suspensions, but Miguel Gutierrez is out with a groin issue, while Franco Cervi and Unai Nunez are major doubts for the visitors.
Swedberg was excellent off the bench against Real Betis last time out, and it is highly likely that he will now feature in the XI.
Iago Aspas is also available after a spell on the sidelines, and it is possible that he could also be introduced into the side, with Giraldez set to make changes from the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Real Betis.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Guaita; J Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Mingueza, Beltran, Sotelo, Alvarez; Aspas, Duran, Swedberg
We say: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo
Celta are a dangerous outfit, and the visitors are certainly capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Atletico. However, we are finding it very difficult to predict anything other than a routine home success for the title-challenging hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
