MX23RW : Tuesday, May 7 15:22:23| >> :120:25294:25294:
[monks data]
Atletico Madrid logo
La Liga
Mar 21, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Getafe logo

2-0

Torres (3'), Tiago (44')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe

Sports Mole previews Atletico Madrid's La Liga clash with Getafe at the Vicente Calderon as the hosts look to end a run of three successive domestic draws.

Atletico Madrid will be hoping that their midweek Champions League progression will inspire a return to domestic form when they host Getafe in La Liga on Saturday.

Last year's runners-up needed a nerve-racking penalty shootout to overcome Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday after Mario Suarez's goal had levelled the aggregate scores.

Substitute keeper Jan Oblak and Fernando Torres both had a role to play in a dramatic conclusion to the last-16 tie at the Vicente Calderon and may do this weekend as Atletico aim to ensure that they are in the competition next season.

Three successive draws domestically have left the Spanish champions fourth in the table, with an eight-point gap to Real Madrid in second, and a point further to title favourites Barcelona at the top.

Their thumping 4-0 derby victory over Real in February seemed to indicate that Atletico would be in the reckoning until the bitter end, but only one win in five league matches since has seen them fall off the pace.

They are now in a fight with Valencia and Sevilla for the final two Champions League spots, and they could be four points behind the third-placed side from the Mestalla, who face Elche on Friday, by the time that they kickoff.

Diego Godin and Tiago will return from European suspensions to take their places in the side at the expense of Miranda and Suarez. Mario Mandzukic is back from his own ban, but is now a doubt with an injury niggle.

Raul Garcia and first-choice goalkeeper Miguel Moya also picked up knocks during the European excursions and join Saul Niguez on the sidelines, meaning that Oblak and Torres could be rewarded with starts.

Consistency has evaded Getafe of late, with the club winning three and losing three of their last six matches, taking points off the likes of Sevilla but suffering defeat at the hands of struggling Almeria along the way.

Manager Pablo Franco Martin will feel that a couple more victories will ensure them of their survival this season, with four points and four teams currently separating them from the relegation zone.

The visitors will be forced into at least one change to the team which lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad, with Juan Rodriguez having accrued 10 bookings. Fredy Hinestroza could come in on the left, with Diego Castro shifting inside.

Getafe have not scored in their last eight matches against Atletico and are pointless on five visits to the Calderon.

Atletico:

Form in La Liga: WLWDDD
Form in all competitions: WLDDDW

Possible starting lineup: Oblak; Moya; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Jesus Gamez; Tiago, Koke, Cani; Arda, Griezmann, Torres

Getafe:

Form in La Liga: WLWLWL

Possible starting lineup: Guaita Alexis, Velazquez, Naldo, Escudero, Lacen, Sarabia, Leon, Castro, Hinestroza, Vasquez

Sports Mole says: 2-0


ID:212272: cacheID:212272:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6187:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Mario Suarez of Atletico Madrid celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Bayer 04 Leverkusen on March 17, 2015
Read Next:
Atletico book quarter-final berth
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!