Getafevs.Atletico

Atleti have won three games on the spin to move within a whisker of securing a place in Europe's top club competition, while their capital counterparts sit comfortably in mid-table.

Match preview

Sunday's 1-0 home win against struggling Celta Vigo put Atletico Madrid eight points ahead of nearest challengers Athletic Club in fourth place, with just three games remaining of an inconsistent campaign.

With less than 10 minutes left on the clock, Rodrigo De Paul scored the decisive goal in Madrid, so Los Rojiblancos can wrap up Champions League qualification in midweek.

Having lost the first game following their exit from this season's edition at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, Atleti have since won three La Liga matches in succession, keeping a clean sheet in both of the last two.

After posting a 16th home victory in the league, they now make the short trip to Estadio Coliseum, aiming to improve a rather more modest record on the road: Diego Simeone's side have won just six of 17 away fixtures so far.

Nonetheless, their journey on this occasion will be brief, and Simeone has previously racked up no fewer than 18 top-flight wins over Getafe - his most against a single opponent.

Indeed, Atleti have not lost any of their 22 league meetings with Wednesday's hosts since Simeone took charge, representing an all-time Spanish record for any coach against the same team.

Getafe have waited since a 3-2 success in November 2011 for victory over their more illustrious neighbours, and current form suggests that wait may go on until next season at least.

Following last week's defeat to lowly Cadiz, the Azulones have lost their last two matches without scoring, and they are now in danger of missing out on a top-half finish.

Osasuna, Sevilla and Alaves are all within three points of the side managed by Jose Bordalas, who will be glad to be back on home soil in midweek.

With a tally of 29 points from 17 games at the Coliseum this season, Getafe will now expect to at least test opponents they have traditionally been dominated by in a local derby.

Having helped his team draw their last two matches against Atleti in La Liga - including a six-goal thriller in December's reverse fixture - Bordalas will now hope to pull off his first win over Simeone in 12 meetings.

Getafe La Liga form:

L

D

D

W

L

L

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

W

W

L

W

W

W

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

W

W

Team News

As Thomas Lemar (Achilles) and Nahuel Molina (hamstring) are Atletico Madrid's only injury absentees, Diego Simeone has an almost full squad to choose from on Wednesday evening.

With the prize of confirming a top-four finish at stake, few changes are expected from the XI that lined up against Celta Vigo, though Rodrigo De Paul will hope his late winner earns him promotion from the bench.

The Argentina international has found the net twice in his last three appearances - as many as in the previous 48 - but French forward Antoine Griezmann is a far more regular scorer and has netted nine goals against Getafe to date.

The hosts, meanwhile, will be without Juan Iglesias, Mauro Arambarri, top scorer Borja Mayoral and Domingos Duarte due to injury.

Following two games without scoring, Jose Bordalas may opt to recall Juanmi Latasa up front, while RB Leipzig loanee Ilaix Moriba could be brought in to freshen up the Azulones' midfield.

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Carmona, Djene, Alderete, Rico; Maksimovic, Milla; Greenwood, Moriba, Rodriguez; Latasa

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Azpilicueta, De Paul, Koke, Lino; Llorente; Griezmann, Morata

We say: Getafe 1-2 Atletico Madrid

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