Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Atleticovs.Celta Vigo

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 May 2024, 11:37
Atletico Madrid will be bidding to strengthen their grip on fourth position in the La Liga table when they welcome Celta Vigo to Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday afternoon.

Diego Simeone's side are fourth in the division, six points ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, while Celta sit 15th, eight points clear of the relegation zone after two wins in their last three matches.

Match preview

Atletico still have work to do when it comes to claiming fourth spot in the table, but they are in a strong position heading into the final straight, sitting six points ahead of fifth-placed Athletic with four games left.

The gap could become three ahead of this match, as Athletic are at home to Osasuna on Saturday evening, but a victory for Simeone's side would leave them in a commanding position.

The Red and Whites have been unable to launch a title challenge this season, sitting 20 points behind leaders Real Madrid, who have already been confirmed as the champions, while they are six points behind third-placed Barcelona and seven from Girona in second.

Atletico will enter this match off the back of successive wins over Athletic and Mallorca, and they will be bidding to record a 16th home league victory of the season this weekend.

Simeone's side have collected 46 points from their 17 fixtures in front of their own fans, and they will be welcoming a Celta outfit that have only managed to pick up 14 points from their 17 games on their travels.

Celta, meanwhile, have given their survival hopes a huge boost with two wins from their last three matches, beating Las Palmas and Villarreal either side of a 3-0 loss at Alaves.

Last weekend, the Sky Blues were involved in a five-goal thriller with Villarreal, and Tasos Douvikas's effort in the 82nd minute proved to be the winner for the hosts in Vigo.

Claudio Giraldez's side are now 15th in the table, eight points ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz, with the team in a very strong position to secure another campaign of top-flight Spanish football.

Celta have not actually managed to beat Atletico in La Liga since September 2018, losing each of their last five league fixtures with the capital giants, including a 3-0 defeat in the reverse match earlier this season.

The Vigo outfit did manage to claim a point away to Atletico in February 2021, though, and this is very much a free hit for the team, as not too many will be expecting them to pick up a positive result.

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

L

W

W

L

W

W

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

W

W

Celta Vigo La Liga form:

W

D

L

W

L

W

Team News

Atletico will welcome Antoine Griezmann back into their squad this weekend, with the France international serving a suspension against Mallorca.

Thomas Lemar and Marcos Paulo remain unavailable for selection, while Nahuel Molina will be absent due to the hamstring problem that he suffered last time out.

Memphis Depay has recovered from a muscular issue, though, and the Netherlands international is expected to return to the squad this weekend.

Head coach Simeone is expected to recall Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul into his side, but Angel Correa should again get the nod over Alvaro Morata in the final third of the field.

As for Celta, Joseph Aidoo remains a long-term absentee due to a serious knee injury, while Carlos Dotor and Renato Tapia are again expected to be unavailable for selection.

Douvikas scored the winner off the bench against Villarreal last time out, but he is not expected to be considered for a start here, with Iago Aspas and Jorgen Strand Larsen set to be joined by Williot Swedberg in the final third of the field.

Larsen has scored 12 times in 33 appearances in La Liga during the 2023-24 campaign, and Celta are believed to be bracing themselves for offers for the 24-year-old during the summer market.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Azpilicueta; Riquelme, De Paul, Barrios, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Correa

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Guaita; Manquillo, Starfelt, Jailson; Mingueza, Rodriguez, Beltran, Alvarez; Aspas, Larsen, Swedberg

We say: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Celta Vigo

Celta's recent form has been impressive, and they will enter this match in good shape, but Atletico's work is not done when it comes to finishing inside the top four, and Simeone's side are so strong at home. We are not expecting a classic, but the capital side should navigate their way to an important three points.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has revealed that he 'decided not to sulk' when being exiled from the first-team squad by Enzo Maresca. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford will look to pick up their first away points of the season when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to continue their respective unbeaten runs, Millwall and league leaders Sunderland will clash for a tasty-looking Championship battle at The Den on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aberdeen, looking to extend their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season, will travel to The Smisa Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face St Mirren. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Heading back to his old stomping ground for a weekend, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca takes his Blues team to the King Power Stadium for a Premier League lunchtime date with Leicester City on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With three points separating them in the bottom half of the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City will do battle at Hillsborough on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City head coach Steve Cooper could be without as many as five attackers for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to halt their worrying winless run, Preston North End will welcome Derby County to Deepdale for an all-important Championship clash on Saturday afternoon in Lancashire. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is of the opinion that Leicester City hold the advantage ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Rio Ferdinand was left stunned after learning that he almost became teammates with Robert Lewandowski at Manchester United. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed yet another injury to the luckless Reece James ahead of Saturday lunchtime's Premier League fixture against Leicester City. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rangers, aiming to build consistent form after a challenging start to the season, host Dundee United at Ibrox Stadium on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly identified Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez as their leading forward target for next summer, with the Red Devils believed to have put a plan in place to sign the Argentina international. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Enzo Maresca has revealed that Chelsea captain Reece James has been dealt another injury blow. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Oxford United play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will move them away from the relegation zone. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bristol City play host to Burnley on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to catapult themselves up the Championship table. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After losing four games in a row across all competitions for the first time under manager Pep Guardiola, Manchester City will endeavour to return to winning ways during a tricky fixture schedule leading up to Christmas. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The faltering title hopefuls meet the unexpected Champions League challengers on Saturday afternoon, as Arsenal and Nottingham Forest collide at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League. 21 November 2024 talksport.com The chance to make your first senior start in professional football is what any player dreams of - unless you've been up partying all night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo will have to assess a couple of his international contingent before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up on what the impact of moving to Saudi Arabia had on his family. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has several fitness doubts to assess for Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Remarkably only separated by goal difference in the Premier League standings, ailing Arsenal and high-flying Nottingham Forest prepare for an intriguing battle at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it successive wins in La Liga when they travel to Leganes on Sunday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City could be boosted by the return of several first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will endeavour to close the five-point gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Juan Mata has made history by investing in new MLS outfit San Diego FC. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim's first taste of Premier League football will come on Sunday afternoon, when he leads his Manchester United team against Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim is reportedly backing Manchester United to re-sign Angel Gomes as part of his Old Trafford rebuild. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Celtic will be looking to remain top of the Scottish Premiership when they take on Hearts at an unusual time this weekend.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon