Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will look to return to winning ways when they host 8th-placed Las Palmas at home.
Atletico Madrid haven’t been at their best in the ongoing season and they are no longer in contention for the league title. But, they do need to ensure they finish inside the top four. As a result, the Madrid-based club will look for all three points against Las Palmas.
Simeone’s team are currently 4th on the points table with 48 points out of their 24 matches. They are averaging only two points per game and are 13 points behind league leaders Real Madrid. They are unlikely to catch Los Blancos in the title race but do have a lot to play for.
Fifth-placed Athletic Club are just two points behind the Madrid-based club and dropping points against Las Palmas could cost them big time. The home team have been winless in their last three matches in all competitions, they have lost their previous two and are heading into this one on the back of a 1-0 loss to Sevilla.
Simeone’s team will have to ensure they bring their best to the table as they look to bounce back from here on. As far as the visitors are concerned, they have done a great job so far this season and are currently 8th on the points table with 35 points out of their 24 matches.
They might have suffered nine defeats so far but they have also won 10 matches and are in contention to finish in a European spot this term. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Valencia. They dominated the proceedings, created more chances and came out on top.
Last time out when the two teams met, Las Palmas were the one who came out on top with the scoreline of 2-1. Atletico will be eager to settle the score but it won’t be easy as the visitors are playing quality football this term. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
The home team will be without the services of Gabriel Paulista, Alvaro Morata, Jose Gimenez, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thomas Lemar for this fixture against Las Palmas. Meanwhile, they do have a boost as Saul Niguez is back available after serving a suspension.
Simeone is expected to make a few changes to the XI that started in their previous outing but the formation will be the same once again. Jan Oblak will take charge of the goal as they will continue with the 3-5-2.
The back three will be made up of Axel Witsel, Stefan Savic and Mario Hermoso. The trio will look for a clean sheet and he will get support from Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino who will feature as the wing-backs.
In the centre of the park, Saul Niguez will feature alongside the duo of Rodrigo De Paul and Koke. They will look to control the tempo of this fixture and ensure they have the majority of the ball.
In attack, French international Antoine Griezmann will start alongside Memphis Depay. With Morata out injured, Depay will look to make the best of this opportunity.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Witsel, Savic, Hermoso; Molina, Saul, De Paul, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Depay
UD Las Palmas
The visitors will be without the services of Alvaro Lemos, Eric Curbelo and Benito Ramirez because of injury. Meanwhile, Aaron Escandell is serving a suspension.
Garcia Pimienta is expected to go ahead with the exact XI that started in their last outing against Valencia. They will stick to the 4-5-1 formation where Álvaro Valles will be in goal.
The back four have been made up of Alex Suarez, Saul Coco, Mika Mármol and Sergi Cardona. Suarez and Cardona will be the full-backs while Coco and Marmol will take charge in the heart of the defence.
Marvin Park and Munir El Haddadi will provide the width to their attack and will also look to help out the full-backs. In the centre of the park, Javier Munoz and Máximo Perrone will feature alongside Kirian Rodriguez.
The trio will look to control the tempo and have the majority of the ball. As far as the attack is concerned, Sandro Ramirez will be leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Valles; Suarez, Coco, Marmol, S Cardona; Park, Munoz, Perrone, K Rodriguez, El Haddadi; S Ramirez
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid won 3-0 vs Las Palmas at home back in 2018 but they are heading into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture from earlier this season.
- Las Palmas have a decent away record this season having picked up 14 points out of their 12 matches.
- Simeone’s team have the best home record in La Liga having picked up 34 points out of their 12 matches at the Wanda Metropolitano.
- The visitors have won two out of their last four away league games.
- Garcia Pimienta’s man has the best defensive record in the division having conceded just 20 goals in 24 outings.
Player to Watch
Memphis Depay
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Injury and the incredible form of Morata and Griezmann have restricted Depay to limited game time in the ongoing season. But, with Morata not available, the Dutch international has his chance to shine.
In his 745 minutes of first-team action in the ongoing season, he has scored seven goals and has bagged two assists. He has done a great job so far but now is his chance to cement his place in the starting XI and the 30-year-old will be eager to get his name on the scoresheet today.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Las Palmas
Having lost to Las Palmas earlier in the season, Simeone’s men will be eager to settle the score at home while the visitors will look to register a record double against the Spanish giants.
Atletico’s recent form hasn’t been that great and they are heading into this match on the back of two consecutive defeats while the visitors have been doing great as per their own standards. They will hope for a double but that might be too much to ask for.
Irrespective of their recent form, the home team are expected to be the team that comes out on top here. As a result, The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Atletico Madrid.
