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Atletico Madrid logo
La Liga
Mar 21, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Getafe logo

2-0

Torres (3'), Tiago (44')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe

Sports Mole previews Atletico Madrid's La Liga clash with Getafe at the Vicente Calderon as the hosts look to end a run of three successive domestic draws.

Atletico Madrid will be hoping that their midweek Champions League progression will inspire a return to domestic form when they host Getafe in La Liga on Saturday.

Last year's runners-up needed a nerve-racking penalty shootout to overcome Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday after Mario Suarez's goal had levelled the aggregate scores.

Substitute keeper Jan Oblak and Fernando Torres both had a role to play in a dramatic conclusion to the last-16 tie at the Vicente Calderon and may do this weekend as Atletico aim to ensure that they are in the competition next season.

Three successive draws domestically have left the Spanish champions fourth in the table, with an eight-point gap to Real Madrid in second, and a point further to title favourites Barcelona at the top.

Their thumping 4-0 derby victory over Real in February seemed to indicate that Atletico would be in the reckoning until the bitter end, but only one win in five league matches since has seen them fall off the pace.

They are now in a fight with Valencia and Sevilla for the final two Champions League spots, and they could be four points behind the third-placed side from the Mestalla, who face Elche on Friday, by the time that they kickoff.

Diego Godin and Tiago will return from European suspensions to take their places in the side at the expense of Miranda and Suarez. Mario Mandzukic is back from his own ban, but is now a doubt with an injury niggle.

Raul Garcia and first-choice goalkeeper Miguel Moya also picked up knocks during the European excursions and join Saul Niguez on the sidelines, meaning that Oblak and Torres could be rewarded with starts.

Consistency has evaded Getafe of late, with the club winning three and losing three of their last six matches, taking points off the likes of Sevilla but suffering defeat at the hands of struggling Almeria along the way.

Manager Pablo Franco Martin will feel that a couple more victories will ensure them of their survival this season, with four points and four teams currently separating them from the relegation zone.

The visitors will be forced into at least one change to the team which lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad, with Juan Rodriguez having accrued 10 bookings. Fredy Hinestroza could come in on the left, with Diego Castro shifting inside.

Getafe have not scored in their last eight matches against Atletico and are pointless on five visits to the Calderon.

Atletico:

Form in La Liga: WLWDDD
Form in all competitions: WLDDDW

Possible starting lineup: Oblak; Moya; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Jesus Gamez; Tiago, Koke, Cani; Arda, Griezmann, Torres

Getafe:

Form in La Liga: WLWLWL

Possible starting lineup: Guaita Alexis, Velazquez, Naldo, Escudero, Lacen, Sarabia, Leon, Castro, Hinestroza, Vasquez

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Mario Suarez of Atletico Madrid celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Bayer 04 Leverkusen on March 17, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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