Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
Looking to extend on their remarkable flurry, Atletico Madrid will welcome Osasuna to the Spanish capital on Sunday afternoon.
Atletico Madrid
Starting with the hosts, signing off 2024 with a sensational 2-1 victory away at Barcelona, Atletico Madrid are in the midst of a sensational purple patch. With the mood in Diego Simeone’s men at a red-hot high, Los Rojiblancos find themselves pencilled in as a genuine title contender this year. Looking to lay down another marker on Sunday afternoon, Atletico have remarkably won each of their previous 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions. With that flurry stemming all the way back to the end of October, Simeone’s men have also gained a reputation for their success on home soil. Including a frantic 4-3 victory against Sevilla on December 8th, Madrid have won their last five showdowns at the Metropolitano by an aggregate score of 12-5. Really firing on all cylinders, Atletico will be smelling a golden opportunity here.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Heading into Sunday’s showdown at the Metropolitano, Atletico Madrid have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns. Bagging a Copa del Rey winner away at Marbella last weekend and now recording eight goals in as many appearances across all competitions, Antoine Griezmann should play a leading role.
Handed a full rest last week, Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak will return between the sticks here. Making a real impact since arriving from Manchester City last summer, Julian Alvarez should keep his spot from the start this weekend.
Osasuna
As for the visitors, while Osasuna might have extended on their respective Copa del Rey adventure last weekend as they secured a 2-1 victory away at Tenerife, Los Rojillos are in the midst of a major La Liga rut. Signing off 2024 with a 2-1 loss at home against Athletic Bilbao, Vicente Moreno’s men are without a win from any of their previous six top-flight appearances. Watching their European dreams take a major dent over the past couple of months, Osasuna couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge this weekend. However, despite being pencilled in as a real underdog on Sunday afternoon, Moreno’s side will be excited by their most recent trip to the Spanish capital. Claiming a sensational 4-1 romp when they travelled to the Metropolitano back on May 19th, Osasuna will be dreaming of a repeat performance.
Osasuna Team News
Dealing with a recent foot injury and not featuring since the start of December, Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza remains a doubt on Sunday afternoon. However, serving a one-match suspension against Athletic Bilbao prior to Spain’s festive break, Alejandro Catena will return to Moreno’s squad.
Although Nacho Vidal might have made a speedy return from injury last weekend, the 29-year-old will settle for a spot on the bench. Already notching 10 La Liga strikes so far this season, Croatian international Ante Budimir will lead the line here.
Atletico Madrid vs Osasuna Key Factors to Consider
- When Atletico Madrid and Osasuna last met back on May 19th, Sunday’s guests claimed a famous 4-1 romp at the Metropolitano.
- However, Osasuna have failed to win any of their previous six La Liga appearances.
- Atletico Madrid have remarkably won all of their previous 13 appearances across all competitions.
- The Spanish giants have also won their last five showdowns at the Metropolitano by an aggregate score of 12-5.
- Antoine Griezmann has recorded eight goals in as many appearances across all competitions.
Conclusion
While Osasuna might have claimed an iconic 4-1 victory when they last travelled to the Metropolitano back in May, Sunday’s guests couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge here. With Atletico remarkably winning all of their previous 13 appearances across all competitions, the title contenders are enjoying a remarkable purple patch. Likewise, winning all of their last five showdowns in the Spanish capital by an aggregate score of 12-5, Simeone’s men should be looking to make another statement here. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, it is no surprise that Atletico are pencilled in as a landslide contender this weekend.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Luckster
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