Atletico Madrid will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they play host to Espanyol in Wednesday's La Liga contest. The newly-promoted visitors are waiting to get off the mark after beginning the campaign with back-to-back defeats.
Atletico Madrid may have aspirations of mounting a serious title challenge after making several notable additions in the summer transfer window. Robin Le Normand and Conor Gallagher have strengthened the defence and midfield respectively, while Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth have been recruited to boost Diego Simeone's forward options. Having bolstered their squad, Atleti have made an encouraging start to the new season, collecting four points from their opening two matches.
They came from behind on two occasions to take a point off Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica, before they produced a dominant home display in Sunday's game against Girona, with Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente and Koke getting on the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory. Atleti will now turn their focus to their first meeting with Espanyol since being involved in an entertaining 3-3 draw in May 2023, and they will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in head-to-head meetings to six matches.
Espanyol spent just one season in the second tier after they won the Segunda Division playoffs to return to La Liga at the first time of asking. Unfortunately for the Periquitos, they have entered the season without the services of last season's Segunda Division top scorer Martin Braithwaite, who departed upon the expiry of his contract before signing for Gremio on a free transfer. Braithwaite's absence has been evident in Espanyol's first two matches, with the newly-promoted side struggling to offer a real goal threat in consecutive 1-0 defeats.
They fell to a narrow loss in their opening game against fellow newly-promoted side Real Valladolid, before Real Sociedad's Take Kubo scored an 80th-minute winner to condemn Espanyol to defeat in their first home game of the season. Manolo Gonzalez's side have their work cut out to claim their first points of the season in Wednesday's trip to the Metropolitano, but they may be able to draw some inspiration from the fact that they played out a 1-1 draw in their most recent away meeting with Atleti in November 2022.
Atletico have reported no fresh injury concerns, ensuring Simeone that will have the majority of his squad available for Wednesday's home fixture. The Atletico boss may take the opportunity to freshen up his side, with Alex Witsel, Nahuel Molina, Koke and Sorloth among those who could be considered for starting berths. Gallagher is also pushing to make his first start after making his Atletico debut as a 58th-minute substitute at the weekend. Recent arrival Clement Lenglet could feature in the matchday squad after completing a loan switch from Catalan giants Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Espanyol midfielder Edu Exposito is continuing to work on his rehabilitation from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Leandro Cabrera was forced to withdraw from Monday's training session due to a physical issue, and the experienced defender will have to be assessed ahead of Wednesday's away trip. Sergi Gomez could be brought into the centre of the Espanyol defence if Cabrera is unable to prove his fitness in time.
Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol Prediction
Atleti would have taken confidence from Sunday's commanding win over Girona, and we think that they will produce another strong home display to maintain their unbeaten start and condemn Espanyol to a third consecutive defeat.
Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol Betting Tips
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here. We back Atletico Madrid to register a comfortable win and the odds of a clean sheet also look good.
Tip 1: Result - Atletico Madrid to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Antoine Griezmann to score or assist any time - Yes
Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol Lineups
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup: Oblak; Gimenez, Witsel, Le Normand; Llorente, Gallagher, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez; Sorloth
Espanyol possible starting lineup: Garcia; Tejero, El Hilali, Kumbulla, Gomez, Romero; Kral, Gragera, Milla; Veliz, Puado
Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol: A Closer Look at the Teams
Atletico Madrid will entertain Espanyol at Metropolitano Stadium in La Liga on Wednesday. Both teams have endured contrasting results in their two games thus far, with an unbeaten record for the hosts and the visitors suffering back-to-back losses.
The hosts got their campaign underway with a 2-2 draw against Villarreal, with all four goals being scored in the first half. They bounced back with a win in their first home game of the season as goals from Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente, and Koke helped them defeat Girona 3-0.
Los Colchoneros are unbeaten in their two league games thus far, scoring five goals, and will look to continue their goalscoring in this match. They have suffered just one loss in their last 11 home meetings against the visitors in La Liga, recording eight wins and keeping six clean sheets.
Diego Simeone has no fresh absentees for the match and will welcome Clement Lenglet to the fold after the defender completed a loan from Barcelona. He has already trained with the team and was officially presented in a press conference on Monday.
Periquitos have failed to score in their two games thus far, suffering 1-0 defeats, and will look to improve upon that record. They are winless in their last six meetings against the hosts, scoring one goal apiece in five games in that period, and might struggle in their trip to the capital.
Edu Expósito remains a long-term absentee for the visitors while captain Leandro Cabrera picked up a knock in training and is a doubt for this match.
Verdict
Considering the current form of the two teams and the capital club's home advantage, we back Atletico to register a comfortable win.
