Atletico Madrid will be looking to make it 11 wins in a row across all competitions when they host Getafe at Estadio Metropolitano in La Liga on Sunday.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid might have made a slow start to the campaign, but they have picked up the pace at the right time and are now all set to host a Getafe outfit that might end up being involved in the relegation battle as they are just three points off the drop zone.
The home team are third in the league table with 35 points in their 16 league outings. The Colchoneros are just a point behind second-placed Real Madrid, with La Liga leaders Barcelona three points ahead, having played an extra game.
While Simeone’s team have not really challenged for the La Liga title in the last few seasons, they are very much in the mix this time around. Given the kind of run they have been in, Getafe will surely feel their full force.
The visitors are 15th on the points table with just 16 points in as many games. While it has been a very poor first half for them, the good news for their fans is that two out of their three wins have come in their last three league outings.
The Azulones are currently three points clear of the relegation zone and would be aiming to ensure that lead is intact. But, coming back with a point or three from Estadio Metropolitano won’t be an easy task. 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
Diego Simeone has no fresh injury concerns, which means Atletico Madrid will have a fully fit squad to take on Getafe. The Argentine manager will stick with the majority of the players who started in their last outing, but he could make a few changes.
The home side will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, and Jan Oblak will be an automatic pick between the sticks. Marcos Llorente and Javi Galan will be the full-backs, while Jose Maria Gimenez will pair up with Clement Lenglet in the central defensive partnership.
Conor Gallagher will return to the wide areas. The former Chelsea midfielder will take his place on the left flank, while Giuliano Simeone should feature on the right wing.
Rodrigo De Paul and Pablo Barrios should be the two central midfielders for the home team. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game. Finally, summer signing Julian Alvarez will partner with veteran French attacker Antoine Griezmann.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez
Getafe
The visitors will be without the services of Carles Alena and Borja Mayoral because of their muscular injuries. Meanwhile, Mauro Arambarri is unavailable after picking up a milestone yellow during their last outing.
Getafe will stick with the 4-4-2 formation against Atletico Madrid. David Soria will take charge in goal, while Juan Iglesias and Diego Rico will feature on the flanks as full-back. In the heart of the defence, Djene Dakonam will partner with Omar Alderete.
Allan Nyom and Coba da Costa will feature out wide in midfield. They will not only shield the full-backs but also look to join the attack. With Arambarri unavailable, John Patrick will replace, and he will partner Luis Milla in the centre of the park. Alvaro Rodriguez, who bagged the winner against Espanyol, will start alongside Christantus Uche in the final third of the pitch.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Soria; Iglesias, Dakonam, Alderete, Rico; Nyom, Patrick, Milla, Coba; Uche, Rodriguez
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have won 29 out of the last 44 matches against Getafe, who only have four wins in that period (D11).
- Los Rojiblancos are on a ten-match winning streak heading into this fixture.
- Getafe have not won any of their last 23 matches against Diego Simeone’s team.
- Atletico Madrid have won 11 out of their last 13 home games against Getafe. (L2)
- The team in red and white have conceded a goal against Getafe in four out of their last six outings in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Giuliano Simeone
Giuliano Simeone has become an important first-team player for Atletico Madrid on the back of consistent performances this season. He has been involved in 17 matches this season and has contributed towards four goals.
Initially, the majority of his minutes came off the bench but of late, he has been a regular starter. While the limelight will be on the stars of the team, Diego Simeone’s son could have a big say on the end result of this fixture.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Getafe
Los Rojiblancos have won each of their last ten games across competitions and given the kind of form they have been in, it will be very difficult for Getafe to stop them in their tracks. The visitors will be confident of causing an upset having won four out of their last five games in all competitions.
But, Atletico Madrid have enough firepower in their squad to eventually come out on top against Getafe and continue their excellent winning run. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Diego Simeone and his charges.