Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Espanyol

Atletico Madrid will be hoping to keep in touch with the leaders in La Liga when they host Espanyol on Sunday.

A 3-1 defeat to Valencia before the international break has left last year's title winners in fifth position, five points behind Barcelona who top the standings.

Diego Simeone's side will be missing winger Alessio Cerci, who was dismissed for two bookable offences at Valencia, but Raul Garcia could come into contention for a place in the starting lineup.

Visitors Espanyol have put together an unbeaten run of four games, with their 2-0 success over Real Sociedad taking them up to eighth place.

Christian Stuani, who came off the substitutes' bench to score late on in that fixture, could be included from the start by coach Sergio.

However, midfielder Victor Alvarez is missing with a hamstring problem, meaning that Paco Montanes could be brought in to replace him.

Recent form

Atletico Madrid: DWWWL

Espanyol: LDWDW

Possible starting lineups

Atletico Madrid: Moya, Miranda, Guilherme Siqueira, Godin, Jesus Gamez, Tiago, Gabi, Turan, Koke, Mandzukic, Griezmann

Espanyol: Kiko Casilla, Colotto, Juan Fuentes, Javi Lopez, Montanes, Alvaro Gonzalez, Victor Sanchez, Canas, Lucas Vazquez, Sergio Garcia, Caicedo

Sports Mole says: 3-1