Preview: Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors will enter the contest off the back of a 1-1 home draw with struggling Getafe, while Celta were on the right end of a seven-goal thriller with Real Betis in Seville last time out.

Match preview

Celta have had their problems this season, and they are only four points clear of the relegation zone heading into the next set of matches, but the Sky Blues do appear to have turned a corner in terms of their form.

Indeed, Carlos Carvalhal's side have only lost one of their last seven in La Liga, which has included victories over Elche, Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis, with two of those wins coming in their last two matches.

As mentioned, Celta overcame Real Betis last weekend, with Gabri Veiga netted twice during a standout performance, while Jorgen Strand Larsen and Joseph Aidoo were also on the scoresheet.

The result moved Carvalhal's side into 12th position in the table, one point behind 11th-placed Girona, but they now have two difficult matches against Atletico and Real Sociedad before ending the month at home to Real Valladolid.

Celta's home form this season has been patchy, only picking up 13 points from their 10 games in front of their own supporters, and they will be welcoming an Atletico side that have won six times on their travels in the league this term, boasting the fourth-best record in the division.

Atletico, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Getafe last weekend; Angel Correa sent the hosts ahead in the 60th minute, but Getafe levelled in the 83rd minute through Enes Unal.

Simeone's side are unbeaten in their four league games since losing at home to Barcelona, but they were also held by Almeria in the middle of last month, and their position in the top four is far from secure.

Indeed, the Red and Whites are currently fourth in the table, three points ahead of fifth-placed Rayo Vallecano, while they are 18 points behind division leaders Barcelona.

There remains widespread speculation surrounding Simeone's future at the club, and there is pressure on the Argentine to oversee a strong finish to the league campaign, as the team do not have any European football, while they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Real Madrid.

Atletico have won each of their last three league games against Celta, including a 4-1 victory in the reverse match at Wanda Metropolitano earlier this season.

Celta Vigo La Liga form:

D

W

D

L

W

W

Celta Vigo form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

W

W

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

W

L

D

W

W

D

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

W

D

Team News

Celta will again be missing Agustin Marchesin this weekend due to a long-term knee problem.

Meanwhile, the Sky Blues will be without the services of central defender Unai Nunez through suspension, which will open the door for Hugo Mallo to come into the starting side for this match.

There are unlikely to be any major surprises when it comes to the Celta XI for this match, with Iago Aspas again set to be joined by Larsen in the final third, while Carles Perez should feature on the right of a midfield four.

Atletico, meanwhile, have not reported any injury concerns ahead of Sunday's contest in Vigo.

Simeone could decide to switch to a back three for this match, with Marcos Llorente and Pablo Barrios potentially coming in for starts in midfield.

Memphis Depay is again expected to be named among the substitutes, with Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann likely to feature as the front two.

Correa was on the scoresheet against Getafe last time out, but the possible change of formation could see the Argentine drop down to the bench for Sunday's clash.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Mallo, Aidoo, Mingueza, Galan; Perez, Beltran, Veiga, De la Torre; Aspas, Larsen

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Reinildo, Savic, Hermoso; Molina, Llorente, Barrios, Koke, Lemar; Griezmann, Morata

We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Atletico Madrid

Atletico are difficult to back with any real confidence at the moment, with the Red and Whites finding it difficult to show their best form. We are not expecting Simeone's side to lose, but Celta are not being beaten at the moment, so we have had to settle on a low-scoring draw in Vigo.

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