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

Bidding to launch a challenge for the La Liga title this season, Atletico Madrid will begin their 2025-26 campaign with a trip to Catalonia on Sunday night to tackle Espanyol.

Atletico finished third in Spain's top flight last season, 12 points behind the champions Barcelona, while their hosts were 14th, only two points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Espanyol won 11, drew nine and lost 18 of their 38 La Liga matches last season to collect 42 points, and it proved to be just about enough to remain in the division, finishing two points ahead of 18th-placed Leganes.

The White and Blues have made it back-to-back seasons at this level for the first time since 2023, and they will certainly be looking to push higher up the table this term, especially considering their summer business.

Indeed, the Catalan outfit have been very active in the market, signing nine players in total, including Roberto Fernandez, with the forward arriving on a permanent basis from Braga following a successful loan spell.

There have also been a number of departures, the most notable of which has been Joan Garcia, with the 24-year-old goalkeeper making the move to Barcelona after Hansi Flick's team paid his £21m release clause.

Manolo Gonzalez's side played six pre-season friendlies and won four of them, while they will enter this match off the back of a morale-boosting 2-2 draw with Premier League side Newcastle United on August 8.

Atletico, meanwhile, finished third in La Liga last season, eight points behind second-placed Real Madrid and 12 behind the champions Barcelona, so the capital side will be looking to close the gap this term.

Diego Simeone's side last won the title in 2020-21, and it would be some achievement if they could finish at the top of the division this season considering the quality of both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Red and Whites have been incredibly busy during this summer's transfer window, with Alex Baena and David Hancko proving to be their two biggest additions in terms of transfer fees.

However, Johnny Cardoso, Giacomo Raspadori, Thiago Almada and Matteo Ruggeri are also among those to have moved to Wanda Metropolitano this summer, so there will be a fresh look to their squad this season.

Samuel Lino has been their biggest exit, making the move to Flamengo, and it is shaping up to be a fascinating campaign for the club, who will again be looking to the brilliant Julian Alvarez for goals.

Atletico took part in the 2025 Club World Cup, but they failed to make it through the group stage despite winning two of their three matches, with Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo progressing from Group B.

Espanyol pre-season form:

WLWWWD

Atletico Madrid pre-season form:

Team News

Espanyol will be missing Javi Hernandez through injury on Sunday, but they are otherwise in strong shape, and there are expected to be some debutants on display in this match.

Indeed, Fernandez, who netted six times on loan at Espanyol in the second half of last season, is set to feature through the middle, while there could be spots in the side for Marko Dmitrovic and Miguel Rubio.

Javi Puado was another to enjoy a strong 2024-25 season for the Catalan outfit, scoring 12 times in Spain's top flight, and he is also expected to be among the starters in this match.

As for Atletico, Jose Gimenez is a doubt due to a muscular problem, but Simeone is otherwise expected to have a full squad available for the clash at RCDE Stadium.

Hancko, Ruggeri, Cardoso, Baena and Almada are all in line to make their debuts from the first whistle, with Atletico potentially having five of their new signings in their starting side.

Alvarez enjoyed an excellent first season at Atletico following a move from Manchester City, scoring 29 goals in 57 appearances, and he will feature in the final third of the field.

Espanyol possible starting lineup:

Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Cabrera, Rubio, Romero; Sanchez, Lozano, Exposito, Roca; Fernandez, Puado

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Espanyol 0-1 Atletico Madrid

Espanyol are capable of making this a tough match for an Atletico side that will be looking to bed in a number of new players, but we are expecting the visitors to ultimately navigate their way to all three points.

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