Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Celta Vigo

Verdict: Atletico Madrid win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to widen their buffer at the top of the La Liga table on Monday night, Atletico Madrid will welcome Celta Vigo to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with the hosts, after watching their crosstown rivals pick up a dramatic 2-1 win against Huesca over the weekend, Atletico Madrid are looking to reclaim their 10 point buffer at the top of the La Liga table. Continuing on what looks like it could be a famous campaign for Los Colchoneros, Diego Simeone’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Building on the slip-ups around them, the runaway leaders were last seen laying down another marker away at Cadiz when drawing a close to January. Eventually leaving the European outsiders with a 4-2 win to show for their troubles, Atletico have certainly bounced back from the shock Copa del Rey defeat against Cornellà last month. With a Champions League knockout showdown against Chelsea fast approaching, Simeone’s side find themselves enjoying an eight-match La Liga winning run. In an even bigger boost for fans around the capital, they have one attacking talisman enjoying a real purple patch. Bagging a brace against Cadiz last time out, Luis Suarez has nine goals in his last eight La Liga appearances.

Team News

With Joao Felix, Moussa Dembele, Mario Hermoso and Yannick Carrasco testing positive for coronavirus, Diego Simeone will be missing all four on Monday night.

England international defender Kieran Trippier will once again be missing due to suspension.

Celta Vigo

As for the visitors, while the mood around the Wanda Metropolitano might remain at a real high, the same cannot be said for a Celta Vigo side who have come crashing back down to earth. Despite signing off 2020 enjoying a hugely impressive seven-match unbeaten run across all formats, the Sky Blues have rather drastically struggled to match that level since opening the New Year. Watching their European ambitions take a real dent, Eduardo Coudet’s men have had to settle for back-to-back stalemates against Granada and Eibar. In fact, losing their spot in the top-half of the table and enduring their most testing spell over the past three months, Celta are winless in any of their six matchups in 2021. With their recent issues highlighted by that stunning 5-2 drumming at the hands of lower-league Ibiza while on Copa del Rey duties last month, Coudet’s side also hold a real reputation for their problems on the road. With just a single La Liga win away from the Balaídos to their name all season, Celta will face another stern test in the capital.

Team News

Aside from Sergio Alvarez and David Junca who will once again miss out on Monday night, Celta have no new injury concerns to worry about.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in October, Atletico Madrid picked up a 2-0 win on the road.
• In fact, the league leaders have won each of their last eight La Liga matchups on the bounce.
• Celta Vigo are in the midst of a six-match winless run across all formats, losing four of those appearances.
• Monday’s guests have also recorded just a single La Liga victory on their travels so far this season.
• Only one of the last seven meetings between Atletico and Celta has finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Last seen signing off January with a 4-2 romp away at Cadiz, there is no doubt that Atletico Madrid will be smelling a golden opportunity on Monday night. With a chance to once again extend their buffer at the top of the La Liga table to double digits, the runaway leaders have won each of their last eight La Liga matchups on the bounce. With Celta drastically struggling to refind their form since opening up the New Year, Los Celestes will face another overwhelming test in the capital. Freefalling away from the European spots and without a win in their last six matchups on the bounce, it should also be highlighted that Atletico landed a 2-0 win when they faced off against Celta in the reverse fixture back in October.

Verdict: Atletico Madrid win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Unibet