Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. L'Hospitalet

L'Hospitalet need a minor miracle if they are to overcome Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their last-32 Copa del Rey clash on Thursday evening.

Atletico recorded a 3-0 win in the first leg last week, with second-half goals from Antoine Griezmann, Gabi and Cristian Rodriguez securing a comfortable advantage for the Spanish champions.

That said, Atletico will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Villarreal in the league at the weekend, with that result dropping Diego Simeone's side seven points off the pace in La Liga.

L'Hospitalet, however, who play their football in the Segunda B, recorded a 2-0 win over Eldense at the weekend. As a result, the minnows have moved into 11th spot in their domestic table.

The visitors have already beaten Guijuelo and Izarra to advance to this stage of the competition, but their journey will come to an end unless they score at least three goals without reply in the capital.

Atletico lost out to Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the competition last season, but would have the chance for revenge if they advance, with Los Blancos waiting for one of these two sides in the next round.

Atletico boss Simeone is expected to ring the changes from the defeat against Villarreal, with Jose Gimenez, Lucas Hernandez, Mario Suarez, Saul Niguez and Alessio Cerci among those pushing for inclusion.

Simeone is also expected to look to Atletico B to fill the bench, with a number of senior players given the night off.

The visitors, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns from their win over Eldense on Sunday. As a result, Eric Via and Nano are expected to continue in attack.

Atletico:

Form in Copa del Rey: WWWLLW Form in all competitions: WWWWDL

Possible starting lineup: Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Lucas, Siqueira; Suarez, Saul; Griezmann, Koke, Rodriguez; Cerci

L'Hospitalet:

Form in Copa del Rey: WLLWWL Form in all competitions: WLDLWW

Possible starting lineup: Sanchez; Fernandez, Hammouch, Coch, Merchan; Alvarez, Bueno, Vivancos, Morgado; Nano, Via

Sports Mole says: 4-0