Atletico Madrid will aim to secure back-to-back La Liga wins when they host tenth-placed Celta Vigo at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid will resume domestic duties after a fruitful European night during midweek against Manchester United. Diego Simeone’s men were heading towards a well-earned victory courtesy of Joao Felix’s terrific headed goal until Anthony Elanga spoiled their party with a late equaliser.
After a terrible run of results, the La Liga champions are seemingly getting back on track and Simeone would want his side to maintain their recent good form. While challenging Real Madrid for the title is very much out of the question, they are still in the race to finish in the top four.
Trailing Barcelona only on goal difference, Atletico Madrid need to perform consistently against opponents towards the lower end of the table. Their recent loss to bottom-placed Levante dealt a solid blow to their Champions League ambitions, although they have bounced back considerably well in recent weeks.
On Saturday, Los Rojiblancos will come up against Celta Vigo, who seem to be enjoying a relatively strong campaign. They have their sights on bettering their eighth-placed finish from last season, although the results from here on will have to be consistent.
Celta Vigo have collected 32 points from their 25 games this season, although Eduardo Coudet’s side have been strong in their travels, losing just three times in 12 away matches in La Liga. With sixth-placed Villarreal just seven points away, a good run from here on could make them outside contenders for European football for next term.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Captain and midfielder Koke, forward Matheus Cunha and January arrival Daniel Wass are all missing for Atletico Madrid for the contest. But beyond that, Diego Simeone has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
? Atleti-Celta ahead! ? pic.twitter.com/Xu3k7cAbsb
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 25, 2022
Yannick Carrasco will certainly provide Simeone with a boost for his team selection after missing the European game through suspension. After being on the bench in midweek, Thomas Lemar and Antoine Griezmann are also in contention. Others such as Felipe, Rodrigo De Paul and Mario Hermoso are vying for a place in the starting lineup.
Simeone will be careful with his team selection at home, as he would want to avoid an outcome similar to the game against Levante recently. A 4-4-2 setup could be on the cards with Marcos Llorente and Reinildo Mandava operating as the full-backs.
The Atletico Madrid manager will likely continue with the robust midfield partnership of Geoffrey Kondogbia and Hector Herrera, while Carrasco might slot in on the right flank. Lemar could be selected to play on the left side ahead of Renan Lodi, who impressed against Manchester United. Joao Felix and Luis Suarez could be preferred to start up front.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo; Carrasco, Kondogbia, Herrera, Lemar; Felix, Suarez
Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo should have a fully fit squad for the game, with Nestor Araujo expected to recover from his knock in time for this clash. He should feature in the backline alongside Joseph Aidoo. Hugo Mallo and Javi Galan are expected to play in full-back roles, with Matias Dituro firmly settled in goal.
Fran Beltran is the likely starter in the specialised defensive midfield role, screening the backline behind him. Brais Mendez and Franco Cervi should begin the clash in a midfield three, with Denis Suarez squeezed between the pair in a slightly advanced position.
Iago Aspas has been tremendous for Celta alongside Santi Mina this season, as the pair have combined to score 18 goals. They should begin the clash as a front two in a bid to cause trouble to the Atletico defence, who have been far from solid this term.
Probable Lineup (4-1-3-2): Dituro; Mallo, Aidoo, Araujo, Galan; Beltran; Mendez, Suarez, Cervi; Aspas, Mina
Key Stats
- Atletico have scored at least two goals in eight of their last nine home games against Celta Vigo in all competitions.
- Atletico have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven matches in La Liga.
- Atletico are unbeaten in their last six home games against Celta Vigo in all competitions.
- Celta Vigo are unbeaten in their last five matches in La Liga.
- Celta Vigo have lost three times in their 12 away games in La Liga this season.
Player To Watch
Joao Felix
In what has been a dismal season, Joao Felix could become the sparkling star in this Atletico lineup. The Portuguese international has not been selected much this term, although his performance against Manchester United will give Simeone a selection headache before the Celta game.
The team needs a player of his quality in the final third to improve the attack with Luis Suarez proving ineffective. And they need to unleash Felix in the right way from now on, allowing him to build on his impressive display in midweek. A good performance against Celta will do a world of good for the attacker and boost his chances of being selected in the team for the rest of the season.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Celta Vigo
This is a contest between the defending champions in a bad patch of form against a Celta Vigo side that has ambitions to better their finish from the previous season.
Atletico certainly possess better quality in all departments than Celta Vigo and showed their quality against Manchester United. While there have been surprises coming Atletico’s way this season, they should be able to use their recent momentum to their advantage and secure three points.
