Verdict: Atletico Madrid to Win to Nil
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: BetVictor
La Liga runners-up Atletico Madrid return to action following the international break with a home clash against relegation-threatened Deportivo La Coruna. Hosts will be looking for much-needed three points that would help them maintain the advantage over third-placed Real Madrid.
Atletico Madrid
The 2017/18 has been the season of ups and downs for Atletico Madrid. Having gone through a stifling transfer ban Los Colchineros were finally able to register new players during the January window and went on to make an additional push towards the top of the La Liga table.
Sitting in second with huge 11 points behind runaway leaders Barcelona, Atletico Madrid will be looking to beat reigning champions Real Madrid to the runners-up finish and will need to keep the momentum going in the final stage of the season. Two defeats in last three matches preceding the international break came as a huge blow to Atletico’s top-table bid and there is no doubt that with their batteries recharged Los Colchineros will be highly motivated heading into the weekend clash, knowing that next couple of weeks could prove to be crucial for their season. Right after the Depor challenge, Simeone’s men will be hosting the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal clash against Sporting CP, whereas the very next weekend brings the hotly anticipated Madrid derby.
Team News
Diego Simeone will not be able to call upon Juanfran, Jose Gimenez and Filipe Luis who are all ruled out through injury. Sime Vrsaljko has been given thumbs up to return to training and could be involved in the Sunday’s showdown.
On the other side, Antoine Griezmann and Vitolo are both suspended for the weekend, whereas first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak is suffering from an illness.
Deportivo La Coruna
Without a single win in their last 14 La Liga matches, Deportivo La Coruna sit in 19th place in the standings with their top-tier faith seemingly settled. Head coach Clarence Seedorf’s optimism is admirable but it will need much more than that to save Depor from the drop.
Seven points adrift of safety and off the back of a terrible run of form, Deportivo La Coruna still have a chance to avoid losing the La Liga status. With 27 possible points to fight for, Seedorf is refusing to accept his team is down already and all he has to do is to transmit the belief to his players. Dutch legend is calling for unity and is also sending a clear message to the fans, asking them to support Deportivo La Coruna at this time of need. Over the past five La Liga matches, Depotivo have been alternating between draws and defeats, which all came from games played out of their home field. Only one goal scored and five straight defeats on the road offer little promise ahead of their trip to Madrid, where they will face one of the most defensively organized sides in Spain. Deportivo last won in Madrid back in 1999, whereas they managed to score only one goal against Los Colchineros in last nine visits.
Team News
Experienced defender Fernando Navarro is suspended for the occasion and will not be able to help his team in Madrid.
Florin Andone, Sulley Muntari, Sidnei, Federico Dipetta and Arsenal flop Lucas Perez are all struggling with respective injuries and are not expected to take any part in the forthcoming clash.
Key Factors to Consider
- Atletico Madrid conceded only 14 goals in 29 La Liga matches this season
- Los Colchineros kept a clean sheet in last seven home games in all competitions
- Deportivo La Coruna suffered five consecutive away defeats
- Depor scored only two goals in last eight games on the road
- Deportivo last beat Atletico in Madrid back in 1999
Conclusion
Both sides have certain selection issues ahead of the Sunday’s clash but Atletico Madrid have enough about them to muster a clear-cut victory that will put them back on track following a slump in form that preceded the March international break. Deportivo La Coruna are flirting with relegation but survival points are better looked for elsewhere.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid to Win to Nil
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: BetVictor
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