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Atlético Madrid won the reverse fixture 2-1 in September thanks to Thomas Lemar’s 99th minute goal. Although, Atleti have actually only won three of their last seven meetings with Espanyol, losing three. Espanyol have only won two of their last 13 games against them in Madrid.
Under 2.5 goals is 10/11.
Atlético Madrid to win and both teams to score NO is 11/10.
Atlético Madrid to win and under 2.5 goals is 9/4.
João Félix is 11/2 to break the deadlock and 7/4 to score anytime.
Match preview
The reigning Spanish champions will not be ending this season with any silverware, so their sole focus in now on a top four finish.
Having lost 1-0 in England a week earlier, they had to beat the Premier League champions at home, but the crucial goal never came.
Thus, Diego Simeone’s men exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, but now must ensure they back in the competition next season.
Last weekend, a heavily rotated Atleti side were beaten 1-0 at Son Moix by relegation threatened RCD Mallorca, conceding a second half penalty.
Before this, Atlético had won six successive La Liga matches, shooting up the table into the top four.
However, they commence the weekend fourth, just one point above Real Betis, so under pressure to finish the season strongly.
As for RCD Espanyol, they’re comfortably in mid-table which isn’t to be sniffed at, given that they were in the Segunda División last season.
Vicente Moreno’s side beat Celta de Vigo 1-0 at home last weekend, thanks to Wǔ Lěi’s dramatic last-minute winner.
This was the Chinese striker’s first league goal since December 2020.
So, Blanquiazules have now won three of their last five leaving them 11th, aiming for a top half finish.
Will Atleti get the win they really need at the Wanda Metropolitano?
Atlético Madrid team news
Diego Simeone made wholesale changes for last weekend’s trip to Palma but won’t be repeating that here.
João Félix and Antoine Griezmann are the first-choice strikers just now so will lead the line, chosen over Luis Suárez, Ángel Correa and Matheus Cunha.
Both haha and Héctor Herrera could be back soon but neither are likely to feature here.
Right-wing-back has been a problem positition since Kieran Trippier was sold to Newcastle in January.
However, Simeone now has options, namely Daniel Wass, Šime Vrsaljko or Yannick Carrasco, meaning Marcos Llorente could return to midfield.
Espanyol team news
Top-scorer Raúl de Tomás missed the recent trip to Real Sociedad but started last weekend and this is a huge boost for Espanyol.
Wǔ Lěi’s winner against Celta Vigo could earn him a start out-wide, alongside Yangel Herrera and Adrián Embarba in support of R.D.T.
40 year old goalkeeper Diego López has faced Atlético Madrid 20 times in his career but has conceded 30 goals and kept just four clean sheets.
La Liga table:
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