Atletico Madrid will look to ensure they maintain the pressure on Barcelona in the La Liga title race with a win over Getafe.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will look to return to winning ways when they hit the road to square up against Getafe. The Colchoneros are within touching distance of La Liga leaders Barcelona and cannot afford to drop any points as we head into the final phase of the season.
The home team are 14th on the table with 30 points in their 26 La Liga outings. The Azulones are four points clear of the relegation zone, and they will look to ensure they stay as clear as possible.
Having suffered consecutive defeats in the league, Getafe will be eager to return to winning ways. But Jose Bordalas’s men will have to punch above their weight if they want to cause an upset against Atletico Madrid.
The visitors are second on the table with 56 points in their 26 outings. Los Rojiblancos are just a point behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, and they will look to ensure they stay within touching distance.
While they did win their last two league outings, Simeone’s men suffered a defeat against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last time out. They will be eager to get things back on track. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Getafe
Getafe will be without the services of Omar Alderete against Atletico Madrid. However, the home side do have a boost as Domingos Duarte is available after serving a suspension last time out.
Getafe will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where David Soria will feature in goals. Juan Iglesias and Diego Rico should feature as the full-backs, while Djene Dakonam will partner with Domingos Duarte in the heart of the defence.
Allan Nyom and Juan Bernat will feature on the flanks. Not only will they support the full-backs, but the duo will also look to provide width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Luis Milla will partner with Mauro Arambarri in a more central role. Finally, Christantus Uche will start alongside Borja Mayoral in the strike partnership.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Soria; Iglesias, Dakonam, Duarte, Rico; Nyom, Milla, Arambarri, Bernat; Uche, Mayoral
Atletico Madrid
Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke’s availability remains a major doubt. But apart from the duo, Atletico Madrid do not have any fresh injury concerns heading into the game against Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
While the Colchoneros did suffer a defeat in their last outing, Diego Simeone is still unlikely to make any major changes to the starting eleven. He will stick with the 4-4-2 formation, and Jan Oblak should continue in goal.
Nahuel Molina and Javi Galan could feature as the full-backs, while Jose Gimenez will partner with Clement Lenglet at the heart of the defence. Giuliano Simeone and Samuel Lino will feature on the flanks in the centre of the park.
They will look to contribute on both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Rodrigo De Paul and Pablo Barrios will take up the central roles, and they will look to control the tempo of the game. Julian Alvarez will start alongside Antoine Griezmann in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann
Key Stats
- Atlético Madrid have dominated Getafe in the recent past, securing 30 victories in their last 44 encounters while suffering just four defeats.
- Their latest showdown took place in February, where Atletico Madrid cruised to a commanding 5-0 win over Getafe in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
- Each of Getafe’s last four league matches has been decided by a single-goal margin.
- Diego Simeone’s team are unbeaten in their last 24 clashes with Getafe, emerging victorious in 20 of those fixtures.
- Getafe’s matches have featured the fewest first-half goals in the league, averaging just 0.65 per game.
Player to Watch
Giuliano Simeone
The 22-year-old Argentine winger has managed to establish himself as a key figure under his father. The youngster has racked up close to 2,000 minutes of first-team action, and he has contributed towards ten goals so far.
Although Giuliano Simeone may not be one of Atletico Madrid’s standout stars, he has certainly contributed his fair share. Given his current form, he could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this fixture.
Prediction
Getafe 0-2 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid will be eager to maintain their momentum and keep the pressure on Barcelona with a crucial win over Getafe. Given their dominant record in this fixture and the contrasting form of both teams, Diego Simeone’s men are well-positioned to secure all three points. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 2-0 win for the away team.
