Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have already secured a top-four finish, and they are now all set to host 13th-placed Osasuna.
Osasuna will look to end their six-match winless run when they hit the road to square up against Atletico Madrid, who have won each of their last four games. The home team are currently fourth on the points table with 73 points in their 36 outings.
While Los Rojiblancos were in a spot of bother a few weeks back, the winning streak has helped them secure a top-four place and now they will look to keep the pressure on third-placed Girona, who are just two points ahead with two games to go.
Atletico Madrid are heading into this fixture on the back of a dominating 3-0 win over Getafe thanks to an Antoine Griezmann hat-trick. They are on a roll having won each of their last four league outings and will look to continue in a similar fashion against Osasuna.
The visitors’ winless run of six games in the league has seen them drop to 13th on the points table. They are nine points clear of the drop zone with just two games to go. With a place in the Spanish top flight secured, they do not really have any added pressure.
Osasuna are heading into this one on the back of consecutive draws against Athletic Club and Mallorca. They will have to put up a much-improved performance against Diego Simeone’s team if they want to end their winless run. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict their tactics for this fixture.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
The home team will be without the services of Nahuel Molina, Thomas Lemar, and Marcos Paulo. Apart from the trio, everyone else is fit and available. Diego Simeone is expected to only make one change to the XI that started in their last outing with Saul Niguez coming back in.
Atletico Madrid will continue with the 3-5-2 formation against Osasuna, with Jan Oblak in goal. The back three will be made up of Axel Witsel, Jose Gimenez and Mario Hermoso. They will look for another clean sheet and will have the support of Marcos Llorente and Samuel Lino who will feature as the wing-backs.
In the centre of the park, Rodrigo De Paul will feature alongside Koke and Saul Niguez. They will look to dictate the pace of the game and have the majority of the ball. As for the offensive unit, Angel Correa will start alongside French international Antoine Griezmann who bagged a hat-trick in their last outing.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Saul, Lino; Correa, Griezmann
Osasuna
Osasuna will remain without the services of Kike Barja, while David Garcia’s availability is a major doubt. But, they do have a boost, as Pablo Ibanez is back from suspension.
They will go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation, where Aitor Fernández will be in goal. The back four will be made up of Ruben Pena, Alejandro Catena, Jorge Herrando and Juan Cruz. Pena and Cruz will be the full-backs, while Catena and Herrando will be the centre-backs.
Jon Moncayola, Aimar Oroz, and Iker Muoz will feature in the centre of the park. They will look to ensure that the Atletico Madrid midfielders do not end up dominating the proceedings. Ruben Garcia and Jose Arnaiz will start out wide on the flanks. The duo will provide width to their attack, while Ante Budimir will be leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Fernandez; Pena, Catena, Herrando, Cruz; Moncayola, Munoz, Ibanez; Ruben Garcia, Budimir, Arnaiz
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have won 23 out of the last 40 matches against Osasuna who only has 12 wins to their name in those fixtures.
- Diego Simeone’s team have won their last 11 matches league games against Osasuna which is their longest run against any opponent in La Liga.
- Osasuna have lost their last seven away games at the hands of Atletico.
- The Madrid-based club have kept a clean sheet in each of their last five league matches against Osasuna.
- The home team have won their last four league outings which is their longest run this year.
Player to Watch
Antoine Griezmann
Griezmann bagged a hat-trick in their last outing, and he will be eager to take the pitch against Osasuna. The French international has been in exceptional form throughout the season and has been a go-to man for Diego Simeone. He has found the back of the net on 16 occasions and also has six assists in his 31 outings. With two games to go, he will look to end the season on a high.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Osasuna
The home team have won each of their last four games in the league, and they have peaked at the right time to secure a top-four finish. While Atletico Madrid are high on confidence, the visitors have been suffering off late. They have been winless in their last six games, and things might not be easy for them against the Spanish giants. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the home team.