Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will look to return to winning ways when they host sixth-placed Real Betis in their penultimate La Liga fixture.
Both Atletico Madrid and Real Betis failed to get the desired result in their last outing and will be eager to get back on track this weekend. While Diego Simeone’s men do not have much left to play for, they will still be looking to finish the season on a high. Meanwhile, the visitors still have an outside chance of securing a UEFA Champions League spot, making it a must-win fixture.
Atletico Madrid are third on the table with 70 points in their 36 outings. While the Colchoneros were in contention for the league title at the halfway mark, they have been very inconsistent in the second half which has hurt them big time. They are certain to finish in a Champions League spot irrespective of how things pan out in their final two fixtures.
But Los Rojiblancos will have to keep winning to ensure they finish third as Athletic Club are just three points behind in fourth. Simeone’s men are heading into this fixture on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Osasuna, and they will certainly be eager to get back to winning ways.
Meanwhile, the visitors are sixth on the table with 59 points in their 36 outings. The Andalusian outfit have been held to draws in their last two outings, which has significantly dented their hopes of securing a Champions League spot, with fifth-placed Villarreal now five points ahead with just two games remaining.
While Los Verdiblancos have secured a Europa League spot, they will certainly be disappointed with the recent results. Betis’s last outing was a 2-2 draw against Rayo Vallecano, and they will be hoping to put up a much improved performance against Atletico Madrid. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone had a fully fit squad for his last outing and since they have no fresh injury concerns, the Atletico Madrid manager will once again have everyone available for selection against Real Betis.
The home team will stick with the 4-4-2 formation despite the disappointing defeat in their last outing. Jan Oblak will take charge in goal, while Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino will feature as the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Jose Maria Gimenez will partner with Clement Lenglet.
Giovanni Simeone and Conor Gallagher should feature out wide on the flanks in the midfield unit. Meanwhile, Rodrigo De Paul will partner with Koke in the centre of the park. In the final third, Antoine Griezmann will partner with Julian Alvarez.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Lino; Simeone, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez
Real Betis
While the home team have a fully fit squad, real Betis will be without quite a few of their first-team stars against Atletico Madrid. Ezequiel Avila and Diego Llorente are both unavailable, while there are question marks over the availability of Juanmi, Hector Bellerin, Marc Roca, and Youssouf Sabaly.
Real Betis will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Adrian will be in goal. Aitor Ruibal will come into the XI and start alongside Ricardo Rodriguez as the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Marc Barta will partner with Natan.
As for the midfield unit, Johnny Cardoso and Pablo Fornals will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to shield the backline and ensure they have the majority of the ball.
Isco is expected to operate in the number ten role, with Manchester United loanee Antony continuing on the right flank and former Barcelona talent Abde Ezzalzouli taking up duties on the left. Cucho Hernandez will spearhead the Real Betis attack against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Hernandez
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have the third-best home record in La Liga with 43 points in their 18 outings.
- Real Betis secured a 1-0 win at home in the reverse fixture against Atletico Madrid, and they will be eyeing a double on Diego Simeone’s team.
- Atletico Madrid have only won one out of their last three fixtures against Real Betis.
- Real Betis have only secured 26 points in their 18 away fixtures this season.
- Real Betis’s last visit to Estadio Metropolitano in La Liga resulted in a 2-1 defeat.
Player to Watch
Isco
The former Real Madrid star is enjoying yet another sensational season, despite missing a large portion of the first half due to injury. At 33, Isco has shown no signs of slowing down, having featured in 30 matches and clocked just over 2,100 minutes of first-team action, with an impressive return of 12 goals and nine assists.
The Spanish playmaker has been directly involved in six goals in his last five league outings, and given his red-hot form, he is poised to play a decisive role in the outcome of this fixture.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Betis
This fixture promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams eager to finish the season on a high. Atletico Madrid will be keen to bounce back from their recent loss and will look to make the most of their strong home form when they take on REal Betis.
However, inconsistency has been a recurring issue for Diego Simeone’s men in the second half of the campaign, and Real Betis will be hoping to capitalise on that. Manuel Pellegrini’s side might be short on personnel, but they still have enough quality to pose a real threat, especially with Isco in red-hot form.
All things considered, a high-scoring draw seems the most likely outcome, with both teams expected to create plenty of chances. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw in this fixture.
