Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol
Okay, it’s isn’t El Clasico, but La Liga: Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol is a huge game in the cities of Madrid and Barcelona, and one which could have a big impact on the chase for European places this season.
The hosts come into the game on the back of a quarter final Champions League clash with Manchester City and head coach Diego Simeone will have a job to keep his players steady for the game against Espanyol, as they went out of the tournament after a bad tempered 0-0 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano. Felipe was sent off when tempers flared in the closing minutes of a hard fought game in which Atleti were unlucky not to overturn a one goal deficit from the first leg.
Now Los Rojiblancos return to La Liga action against an in-form side led by Vicente Moreno. But Espanyol have little but pride and a higher league position to play for, whereas this is another vital fixture for Atletico. Last week Simeone’s men went down to a shock 1-0 defeat away to Real Mallorca while Espanyol beat Celta Vigo by the same score-line… and another setback for Atleti is almost unthinkable for their fans.
The Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol betting odds point to a home win with a price of 2.05 for Los Rojiblancos with a -1.25 handicap, while Espanyol are at 1.84 with a +1.25 goal start. A one goal margin looks likely but it will be tight.
Talking Points
Atletico’s crowd will be the 12th man
A top four place is in no way guaranteed for Diego Simeone’s men. They currently occupy that last Champions League spot, but just a single point ahead of an ambitious Real Betis. Having won La Liga last term the least the fans expect is to remain among Europe’s elite and with seven wins in the last ten games they will be keen to shake off the memory of back-to-back disappointments.
The atmosphere in the Wanda Metropolitano was red hot against Manchester City as the supporters got behind the physical effort of their players. On another night it would have been a classic Atleti 1-0, but City’s keeper Ederson worked hard to keep a vital clean sheet. Simeone’s sides have been masters at the art of defence and to keep out the Sky Blues is an impressive feat. But his current crop of players are equally effective in attack, and the move of Rena Lodi to wingback is an expansive move.
With 11 league goals and five assists attacking midfielder Angel Correa is enjoying his best season for Atletico, while Luis Suarez, with 11 goals, and Joao Felix with eight are a world class forward pair. At 22 years Felix has come of age this term, scoring ten in all competitions and making six assists.
Atleti will be strong at both ends of the pitch against Espanyol; and they will have a 12th man in the stands creating a noise to lift the spirits of their heroes.
Darder the key man for Espanyol
The 2021 Segunda Division winners have enjoyed a solid season back in the big time and los Periquitos sit comfortably in 11th place in the La Liga table, 11 points clear of the drop zone. With three wins, all with a clean sheet, one draw and one loss in the last five they have all but confirmed another year in La Liga.
Striker Raul de Tomas is an experienced goal scorer and he is in joint second place in the La Liga top scorers with 14 strikes, though the Golden Boot is well out of reach with Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema streaking ahead with 24 goals. And the man behind the top striker, Sergi Darder has also proved to be a top class operator. He has three goals and eight assists in this campaign and, at 22 years of age, the former Lyon man has a bright future ahead of him. He has quick feet and loves to take on defenders, but he’ll receive close attention form Atleti midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia who was excellent against the Sky Blues and is an expert man to man marker. If Kondogbia can win this particular battle then it will be difficult for Espanyol to score.
History
The head-to-head Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol results are in favour of Los Rojiblancos by a margin of 22 to 17, with 13 draws in all competitions since 1995.
Atletico came out on top when the two teams met in Barcelona in September, by a 2-1 score line, and, two seasons ago, the clash in Madrid was won by Atletico 3-1.
Espanyol have won just one game on the road all season while Atletico Madrid won their last three at the Wanda Metropolitano, before drawing 0-0 with Manchester City.
Betting Tip
These two teams have become 1-0 specialists in recent weeks, all three of Espanyol’s most recent games producing a single goal, two home wins and an away loss. Meanwhile, during their last six games, Atletico played out a 1-0 outcome four times with two wins and two defeats, all away from home.
1-0 to Los Rojiblancos is available at a SBOTOP price of 4.84.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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