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

Atletico Madrid will be looking to strengthen their grip on third position in La Liga when they continue their 2019-20 campaign away to lowly Celta Vigo on Tuesday night.

Diego Simeone 's side have won five of their seven league matches since returning to action last month, while Celta have also been in relatively good form as they bid to stay above the bottom three.

Match preview

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Celta are only just outside of the relegation zone in 17th position, but they are six points ahead of 18th-placed Mallorca, suggesting that it would take some turnaround for them to drop into the relegation zone.

Their spot in La Liga for the 2020-21 campaign is not yet secure, though, which is perhaps a surprise considering that they have been in relatively strong form since returning to action on June 13.

Indeed, Oscar Garcia 's side, who finished 17th in La Liga last term, have won two, drawn three and lost two of their seven fixtures after the lockdown period.

The Sky Blues secured seven points against Alaves, Real Sociedad and Barcelona towards the end of last month, but they are now winless in three, including a 5-1 defeat at Mallorca on June 30.

Celta did pick up a welcome point at home to Real Betis on Saturday, though, and will fancy their chances of staying in the top flight even if they fail to pick up a positive result on Tuesday night.

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Atletico were actually sixth in the table when play was called to a halt in March, but the capital side have been in excellent form since the campaign restarted in the middle of June.

Indeed, Simeone's side have won five of their seven league games, remaining unbeaten in the process; they recorded a 3-0 victory over Mallorca on Friday night, having drawn 2-2 at Barcelona three days earlier.

Atletico are currently third in the table, five points clear of fourth-placed Sevilla, although Julen Lopetegui 's side would close the gap to two points if they manage to beat Eibar on Monday night.

The Red and Whites are eight points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal, though, and it would therefore be a huge surprise if they failed to secure a top-four finish this term.

The capital giants are also still in the Champions League and will certainly be ones to watch, having impressively dumped the holders Liverpool out of the competition back in March.

Celta Vigo La Liga form: DWWDLD

Atletico Madrid La Liga form: WWWWDW

Team News

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Celta will be without the services of Nestor Araujo through suspension due to the yellow card that the defender picked up in the 1-1 draw with Betis on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Denis Suarez, David Junca and Sergio Alvarez are still on the sidelines through injury.

Joseph Aidoo and Hugo Mallo are expected to return to the back four for the home side, but it could otherwise be the same XI that featured against Betis, with Iago Aspas, Nolito and Fedor Smolov all starting.

As for Atletico, Diego Costa is suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up against Mallorca, while Sime Vrsaljko is still on the sidelines with a knee problem.

Simeone otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from, and he is expected to make changes from the side that started on Friday, with Angel Correa, Renan Lodi and Thomas Partey all likely to return.

Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata should continue as the front two in Costa's absence, while Saul Niguez and Koke are expected to keep their spots in the starting XI.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Blanco; Mallo, Murillo, Aidoo, Olaza; Nolito, Rafinha, Yokuslu, Beltran, Aspas; Smolov

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Trippier, Gimenez, Savic, Lodi; Koke, Saul, Thomas, Correa; Morata, Felix

We say: Celta Vigo 0-1 Atletico Madrid

Atletico have been in excellent form since returning to action last month, and it is difficult to back against Simeone's side in this match. Celta will be encouraged by the fact that Atletico have only won five of their 17 away La Liga matches this season, but we fancy the capital side to triumph in this game.