Two sides heading in opposite directions in the table go head to head in La Liga this weekend as second-placed Atletico Madrid host Espanyol.
The home side are unbeaten in six matches in the Spanish top flight, while the visitors have won just once in four outings.
Atletico Madrid
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Diego Simeone's side head into this weekend sitting second in the La Liga standings, four points off the top of the table after beating Real Betis 1-0 last time out.
The 2013-14 champions have been back in action since though, beating Galatasaray 2-0 in the Champions League earlier this week, ensuring that they progress to the knockout stage of Europe's top club competition.
No side has conceded fewer goals in La Liga this season than Atletico, with the team letting in just six in 12 matches, while also keeping a league-high seven clean sheets so far.
Atletico have not been as prolific up front though, with five teams netting more goals than this weekend's hosts, who have 17. The team has only scored more than two goals in one match this year, beating Sevilla 3-0 in the second week of the campaign.
Antoine Griezmann is the club's top scorer in the league so far this season, netting five times in 11 appearances, while Fernando Torres and Jackson Martinez each have two.
Atletico are unbeaten in their last four home matches in the league, with their loss to Barcelona in September their only defeat in six matches at Vicente Calderon so far in this campaign.
Recent form: DWWDWW
Recent form (all competitions): WDDWWW
Espanyol
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Espanyol secured their first win in four matches at the weekend, returning from the international break with a 2-0 win over Malaga thanks to a brace from Hernan Perez, with both goals coming inside the opening 20 minutes.
Sergio Gonzalez's side made a reasonable start to the season, winning three of their first five fixtures, but have struggled for consistency since the end of September, losing four of seven to leave the team 10th in the table.
A trip to the Vicente Calderon is not ideal for Espanyol, as the team has struggled on their travels this season, losing four of their six away matches so far.
No side has conceded more goals in the first 12 matches of the campaign, with Espanyol letting in 23 goals and keeping just three clean sheets, which leaves them joint-bottom in the defensive stats alongside Levante, who sit in the relegation zone.
Espanyol have shown promise in front of goal though, scoring 14 goals while only failing to find the back of the net in three fixtures this campaign. Perez's goals against Malaga last time out leave him with three in his last two appearances.
Discipline has also hampered Espanyol in recent weeks, as the team have picked up more yellow cards than any other side in La Liga so far this season, with 44 bookings. Three players have also seen red this season - only Rayo Vallecano have had more players sent off.
Recent form: LWLDLW
Recent form (all competitions): WLDLWW
Team News
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Gabi will be absent for the home side as he received his fifth yellow card of the season last time out, so must serve a one-match suspension.
Jackson Martinez's involvement is also in doubt as he is yet to play since injuring his ankle while on international duty with Colombia earlier this month, although he is thought to be close to a return.
Espanyol also have a player suspended, as Victor Sanchez's booking last weekend rules him out of this fixture, while Juan Fuentes is also a doubt with an ankle sprain.
Hernan Perez and Antonio Raullo also picked up knocks last weekend, which could limit their involvement, although the former has been training, while Salva Sevilla will not make the trip after sustaining an adductor sprain.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak, Godin, Luis, Savic, Games, Tiago, Koke, Niguez, Griezmann, Torres, Ferreria-Carrasco
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
P Lopez, Roco, J Lopez, Duarte, Alvaro, Alvarez, Diop, Perez, Asensio, Caicedo, Moreno
Head To Head
Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last three matches against Espanyol, sharing a goalless draw in their last meeting in March, while beating this weekend's opponents 2-0 in their meeting at Vicente Calderon last season.
Espanyol have won just once in their last seven matches at Atletico's ground, and just one of their last seven meetings overall with Simeone's team.
In 40 matches between the two sides, Atletico have won 16, while Espanyol have 13 wins.
We say: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Espanyol
With several of their key players carrying knocks ahead of a trip to one of the strongest teams in the league, Espanyol will not be expected to come away with a win. Atletico have not been the most free-scoring of teams so far this season, but they should create enough to secure the three points.
Sian Cowper
