Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol Predictions

Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol predictions for this La Liga clash. Atletico Madrid will aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they host Espanyol in Wednesday’s La Liga contest. Read on for our free match preview and betting tips.

La Liga | Aug 28, 2024 at 8pm UK at Estadio Civitas Metropolitano

Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol Predictions

Can Atletico Madrid’s Defence Prove Too Strong for Espanyol’s Struggling Attack?

• Atletico Madrid have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven La Liga matches.
• Espanyol have failed to score in their two league outings this season.
• Alexander Sorloth has scored 24 goals in his last 36 league appearances.

Best Bet

Atletico Madrid are set to host Espanyol in a midweek La Liga fixture, with both teams having very different starts to their respective campaigns. Atletico have looked strong, securing four points from their first two games, including a dominant 3-0 victory against Girona. Meanwhile, Espanyol, newly promoted, are yet to find their footing in the top flight, suffering two consecutive 1-0 defeats. This clash at the Metropolitano offers Atletico a chance to maintain their unbeaten streak, while Espanyol will be desperate to claim their first points of the season.

Given the current form and squad quality, backing Atletico Madrid to win without conceding seems the most prudent choice. Diego Simeone’s side have demonstrated their defensive solidity, particularly in their recent 3-0 win over Girona. Atletico’s backline, bolstered by summer additions like Robin Le Normand, has been resilient, allowing just two goals in their opening two matches. With Jan Oblak in goal and a disciplined defensive unit in front of him, keeping a clean sheet against a struggling Espanyol side appears highly likely.

Espanyol have been toothless in attack so far this season, failing to score in their first two games. The absence of their top scorer from last season, Martin Braithwaite, who left the club in the summer, has clearly been felt. Despite creating a fair number of chances, they have lacked the finishing touch required at this level. Espanyol’s average of just three shots on target per game underlines their struggles in front of goal, and against a well-organised Atletico defence, they could find themselves frustrated once again.

Atletico’s ability to absorb pressure and hit on the counter-attack, a hallmark of Simeone’s philosophy, makes them well-suited to exploit any gaps Espanyol might leave as they search for their first goal of the season. The presence of Griezmann and Sorloth up front provides the Madrid side with the attacking firepower needed to capitalise on these opportunities. Moreover, Atletico’s record of five clean sheets in their last seven La Liga matches indicates a strong likelihood of them shutting out their opponents.

“Atletico Madrid’s defensive strength combined with Espanyol’s lack of firepower makes a win to nil the best bet for this encounter,” says BettingTips4You.com expert Gerard Gabasa. “With a solid backline and clinical forwards, Atleti should comfortably manage the game while keeping Espanyol at bay.”

Additional Prediction

Another betting angle worth considering is Alexander Sorloth finding the back of the net during this match. Sorloth, who joined Atletico in the summer, has hit the ground running, scoring on his debut against Villarreal. The Norwegian striker brings a physical presence and a keen eye for goal, making him a constant threat to defences. His tally of 24 goals in his last 36 league appearances across different leagues underscores his scoring ability.

Espanyol’s defence, though resilient at times, has shown vulnerabilities, particularly in dealing with aerial threats and physical forwards. Sorloth, standing at 6’4″, is likely to exploit these weaknesses, especially in set-piece situations or during Atletico’s swift counter-attacks. Given Atletico’s ability to create high-quality chances—averaging two big chances per game—Sorloth will likely have opportunities to add to his goal tally.

Considering Espanyol’s struggles to contain opposition forwards, particularly in one-on-one situations, Sorloth could be the player to watch in this fixture. His combination of size, strength, and finishing ability should see him well-positioned to score at least once during the game.

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