Atlético Madrid hunt second consecutive win against promoted Espanyol
Atlético Madrid take on RCD Espanyol at the Cívitas Metropolitano on Wednesday evening at 20:30 (GMT+1), looking to claim back-to-back league victories. The Madrilenians were convincing winners against Girona last weekend, while Espanyol remain without a point or a goal after a narrow defeat to Real Sociedad.
Atlético sweep aside Girona in matchday two
Diego Simeone's side showed little mercy to Girona last weekend. A free-kick from Antoine Griezmann after 39 minutes, a thunderbolt from Marcos Llorente in the 48th minute and a goal from Koke in stoppage time (90+4') sealed a comfortable 3-0 home win. It was the first league victory of the season for the Colchoneros, lifting them to fourth place, two points behind third-placed Barcelona. Simeone also had reason to be satisfied with the debut of new signing Conor Gallagher, who came off the bench to make his first competitive appearance.
Impressive home record and a historic advantage
The statistics firmly favour the home side. Atlético Madrid have won 83 of their 162 league meetings with Espanyol — the highest number of victories the club has ever recorded against a single opponent in La Liga. Espanyol are also the only club against whom Atlético have scored more than 300 goals in the Spanish top flight, having netted 307. Add to that Simeone's side's formidable home form at the Cívitas Metropolitano, where they have won 26 of their last 29 league matches. The Madrilenians are expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Julián Álvarez and Rodrigo Riquelme leading the attack.
Espanyol search for first point and goal on return to La Liga
The visitors arrive in considerably less encouraging form. Manolo González's side fell to a 1-0 defeat against Real Sociedad last weekend, courtesy of a Takefusa Kubo strike in the 80th minute, leaving them 19th with a goal difference of -2. Espanyol are, alongside one other club, the only team in the division yet to register a point or score a goal. That said, the promoted side should not be underestimated: the Periquitos have won two of their last three away fixtures in the Comunidad de Madrid. González is considering a 4-4-2 set-up with Alejo Véliz and Irvin Cardona up front. Captain Edu Expósito is unavailable due to a ligament injury. Notably, Atlético failed to win either of their last two league encounters with Espanyol — both in the 2022-23 season — adding an extra edge to Wednesday evening's home tie.
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Source: Sportmonks
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