Preview: Atletico Madrid vs Elche - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico Madrid will be aiming to bounce back from a shock defeat in gameweek one of the 2025-26 La Liga campaign when they welcome Elche to Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday evening.

Diego Simeone's side were beaten 2-1 by Espanyol in their season opener, while Elche - promoted from the Segunda Division last season - began life back at the top level with a 1-1 draw against Real Betis.

Match preview

There is no getting away from the fact that it was a desperately disappointing start to the new La Liga season for Atletico, with Simeone's side going down 2-1 to Espanyol on Sunday night.

Julian Alvarez made the breakthrough in the 37th minute, but goals from Miguel Rubio and Pere Milla turned the game around, and Simeone admitted after the match that he made tactical errors in terms of his substitutions.

Atletico are hoping to launch a title challenge this season, having finished 12 points behind champions Barcelona last season, but they are already three points off the pace at the start of the new campaign.

The Red and Whites have been incredibly busy during this summer's transfer window, with Alex Baena their biggest arrival in terms of a transfer fee, while the likes of Samuel Lino and Arthur Vermeeren have moved on.

Atletico locked horns with Elche in the Copa del Rey last season, recording a 4-0 victory, and the capital giants will be determined to bounce back from their loss to Espanyol this weekend.

Elche, meanwhile, secured a return to Spain's top flight courtesy of their second-placed finish in last season's Segunda Division table, with the Green-striped ones back at this level after two years away.

Eder Sarabia's side fell behind against Real Betis in their season opener, with Aitor Ruibal finding the back of the net, but German Valera levelled the scores in the 81st minute of the contest.

Elche have been incredibly busy during this summer's transfer window, with their biggest signing in terms of a transfer fee proving to be Federico Redondo from Inter Miami, while Andre Silva and Alvaro Rodriguez are notable arrivals.

The Valencian outfit have only won 12 of their previous 57 matches against Atletico across all competitions, but one of those successes came when the two teams last locked horns in La Liga - a 1-0 home victory in May 2023.

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

Elche La Liga form:

Team News

Atletico suffered an injury blow in their opening match of the new season, with summer arrival Baena picking up a muscular problem which is expected to sideline him until September.

Jose Gimenez is also still a doubt, but Simeone's side are otherwise in strong shape, and there could be a spot in the final third of the field for Alexander Sorloth alongside Julian Alvarez.

Pablo Barrios is pushing to be introduced into the starting side, meanwhile, which could see Conor Gallagher drop out.

As for Elche, Yago Santiago and Adam El Mokhtari are out due to injury problems; Josan is also a doubt with the issue that he suffered during pre-season.

Alvaro Rodriguez, who has joined the club from Real Madrid this summer, is again expected to lead the line for Elche, while Valera, fresh from his goal last time out, will also start.

There are not expected to be any surprises when it comes to the away side's XI in this match, with Rodrigo Mendeza also set to feature in the final third of the field.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Cardoso, Barrios, Almada; Alvarez, Sorloth

Elche possible starting lineup:

Dituro; Nunez, Affengruber, Bigas, Petrot; Valera, Febas, Aguado, Neto, Mendoza; Rodriguez

We say: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Elche

Elche are capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Atletico, and we are expecting it to be close in terms of the scoreline, but the home side should be able to navigate their way to all three points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.