Atletico Madrid will aim to extend their impressive unbeaten start to the season when they face Celta Vigo in a La Liga clash on Thursday. The match at Balaidos will see Atletico, currently in fourth place, aiming for a win against Celta, who are in ninth. This match comes at a crucial time for Atletico, as they look to build momentum before a highly-anticipated derby clash against Real Madrid on Sunday.

Celta have experienced contrasting fortunes at home and away. While they have won all three of their matches at Balaidos, they have lost all three of their away games. The home side will be looking to continue their impressive home form, as they have avoided defeat in their last nine home league games since losing to Barcelona in February.

Despite their strong home record, Celta have struggled in recent encounters with Atletico, failing to win any of their last 11 head-to-head matches. Atletico have proven to be a tough opponent for Celta, having won their last six meetings, including a 3-0 victory in their last trip to Balaidos. The Colchoneros will draw confidence from this recent head-to-head dominance as they seek to extend their winning streak against Celta.

Atletico's unbeaten start to the season has been marred by three dropped points, which has seen them fall six points behind leaders Barcelona. Diego Simeone will be looking for a decisive victory against Celta to build momentum ahead of their clash with Real Madrid.

Ahead of the match, both teams face injury concerns. Celta will be without Mihailo Ristic, Luca de la Torre, and Oscar Mingueza, while Atletico will be missing Cesar Azpilicueta, who sustained a muscle injury in their draw with Rayo Vallecano. Thomas Lemar and Pablo Barrios are also doubts for Atletico, while Rodrigo De Paul is expected to be available.

Despite the injury concerns, both teams will be looking to field strong lineups. Celta will likely deploy a 4-3-3 formation with Iago Aspas leading the attack, while Atletico are expected to play a 4-4-2 with Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth leading the line.

Despite Celta's strong home form, Atletico's recent dominance in the head-to-head encounters and their need for a victory ahead of the derby make them strong contenders to win this match. The Colchoneros will be looking to secure a seventh consecutive victory over Celta and take a significant step towards maintaining their unbeaten run.

Atlético Madrid's Drive to Keep Pace with the Leaders

Atletico Madrid's draw against Rayo Vallecano served as a harsh reminder of their early-season struggles to keep up with the pace set by Barcelona and Real Madrid. The draw widened the gap between Atlético and their title rivals, creating a sense of urgency for Diego Simeone's side to secure a win at Balaídos.

Simeone emphasized the importance of this game in Vigo, stating it as an “obligation” to win before the upcoming derby. He recognized the challenge posed by Celta, who have played with a more attacking style and have a 37-year-old Iago Aspas leading the line. However, Simeone remains confident in his team's ability to overcome the challenge.

Celta's Entertaining Style and the Importance of Aspas

Celta Vigo have emerged as one of La Liga's most entertaining teams, known for their attacking style and reliance on the veteran Iago Aspas. Under head coach Claudio Giráldez, Celta have scored a high number of goals, but they've also conceded a concerning number of goals, making them vulnerable defensively.

Aspas has been a key figure for Celta, providing a consistent threat for opponents to contend with. He has been a vital contributor to the team's attacking performance, making him a key player to watch out for. However, Celta's defensive issues could be a major concern against a strong Atletico Madrid side that boasts a formidable attack of their own.

The Importance of Julián Álvarez in Atletico's Attack

Atlético's star signing, Julián Álvarez, is expected to be a crucial part of the team's attack going forward. He has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to fully break through and consistently find the back of the net. Simeone will be looking for Alvarez to gain some confidence before the derby match and potentially contribute to a decisive victory over Celta.

Team News and Lineup Predictions

Celta will be without Mihailo Ristic, Luca de la Torre, and Oscar Mingueza due to injuries. Atletico will be missing Cesar Azpilicueta, with Thomas Lemar and Pablo Barrios also doubtful. Rodrigo De Paul is expected to be available for the match.

The expected starting lineups are:

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Guaita; J. Rodriguez, Starfelt, Jailson; Alvarez, Beltran, Moriba, Alonso; Aspas, Swedberg, Iglesias

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Gimenez, Reinildo, Lino; Gallagher, Koke, Riquelme; Griezmann, Sorloth

Conclusion: A Battle for Momentum and Glory

The match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting styles of play. Celta's attacking prowess will be a challenge for Atletico's defense, while the Colchoneros will be aiming to exploit Celta's vulnerability at the back. This match is crucial for Atletico as they aim to maintain their unbeaten streak and build momentum ahead of their crucial derby encounter with Real Madrid.

Ultimately, this match could determine the trajectory of both teams' seasons. A victory for Atletico would send a strong message to their rivals and boost their confidence ahead of the derby, while a win for Celta would provide a significant boost to their morale and potentially launch them into a strong position in the La Liga table.