Atletico Madrid will face Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Wednesday, looking to pick up a crucial win to book their place in the UEFA Champions League for next season.
Atletico Madrid are currently fourth in the league table. and a win over Getafe would seal their place in the top four. With Athletic Club breathing down their necks, they cannot afford to drop points in the remaining matches of the season.
The Colchoneros are coming into this game on the back of five wins from their last six league matches, and they will be the favourites to grind out all three points. Meanwhile, Getafe are 10th in the standings, and they will look to finish in the top half.
The Azulones have failed to win five of their last six league matches, and they are coming into this contest on the back of two consecutive defeats in the league. They will need to improve immensely to grind out a positive result here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Getafe
Juan Iglesias misses out with a shoulder injury for the home team. Getafe are likely to shape up in a 3-5-2 formation against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday with David Soria in goal.
Gaston Alvarez, Djene Dakonam, and Omar Alderete will start in the back three. They will look to help Getafe build from the back and keep things compact defensively. Mason Greenwood and Diego Rico will start on the flanks, and they will look to add goals and creativity from the wide areas.
In the midfield, Ilaix Moriba will start alongside Luis Milla and Nemanja Maksimovic. They will look to add defensive cover, creativity and control in the middle of the park. Finally, Jaime Mata will lead the line for the hosts alongside Juanmi Latasa.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Soria; Alvarez, Djene, Alderete, Rico; Maksimovic, Milla, Moriba, Greenwood; Mata, Latasa
Atletico Madrid
Nahuel Molina misses out with a hamstring problem, and Vitolo is ruled out with ACL damage. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid will start in their usual 3-5-2 formation against Getafe, with Jan Oblak in goal.
In the back three, Jose Gimenez will start alongside Axel Witsel and Mario Hermoso. Gimenez and Hermoso will look to add defensive cover to the side, whereas Witsel will control the game from the deep and help Atletico Madrid build from the back. Cesar Azpilicueta and Samuel Lino will start as the wing-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch.
Marcos Llorente will start in central midfield alongside Koke and Rodrigo De Paul. De Paul will add defensive presence, while Koke and Llorente will add drive and work rate. Finally, Angel Correa will lead the line along with Antoine Griezmann.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Azpilicueta, Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Correa
Key Stats
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in seven of Getafe’s last eight games in La Liga.
- Atletico Madrid are undefeated in their last 25 matches against Getafe in all competitions.
- Atletico Madrid have kept a clean sheet in 11 of their last 12 away matches against Getafe in all competitions.
- 21 goals have been scored in the last four matches between these two sides.
- Atletico Madrid have kept a clean sheet in their last two matches.
Player to Watch
Antoine Griezmann
The 33-year-old French international is our key player to watch out for this week. He has 13 goals and six assists in La Liga and will look to influence the game in the final third with his goal, scoring ability and creativity. Griezmann will look to link up with his teammates and carve open the defence. It will be interesting to see if you can help his team grind out all three points here.
Prediction
Getafe 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Getafe are going through a rough patch right now, and this will be a tough contest for them. The Azulones have failed to win five of the six league matches and they are on a losing run. They are completely devoid of confidence and momentum.
On the other hand, Atletico Madrid will be full of confidence heading into this game on the back of five wins from their last six La Liga games. They will be firm favourites to pick up all three points here. This is likely to be a close contest, but Atletico Madrid have enough quality to grind out a narrow win.
