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Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe

Sports Mole previews the La Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Getafe.

Atletico Madrid will be looking for a fourth win in five fixtures at the start of the 2015-16 La Liga season when they host Getafe on Wednesday.

The visitors to the Vicente Calderon head into this match fresh from their first win of the season, having lost their opening three matches of the campaign.


Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann (3rdL) celebrates with his team mates after scoring the second goal during the Champions League group C football match Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid on September 15, 2015© Getty Images

Diego Simeone's side bounced back from their first league defeat with a 2-0 win over Eibar at the weekend, putting their 2-1 loss to Barcelona in their previous league outing behind them.

Including their 2-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League last week, Atletico now have four wins from their last five fixtures, which has helped the side climb up to fifth in the La Liga table.

However, their last two wins have come away from home, with their only victory at their own stadium coming in the opening match of the season, when the 2013-14 champions clinched a narrow win over newly-promoted Las Palmas. Atletico had one of the strongest home records in the Spanish top flight last season though, losing just twice, and winning 14 of their matches at Vicente Calderon.

Atletico have been one of the strongest sides defensively at the start of the new season, conceding just two goals in their opening four fixtures, and recording three clean sheets - only Valencia and Real Madrid have been more clinical at the back.

Los Rojiblancos have been starting to look a formidable attacking side too, with goals coming in all of their league outings so far. Fernando Torres has two goals from four appearances in La Liga this season.

This fixture marks the start of a busy 12-day period for Atletico, as they travel to Villarreal on Saturday before hosting Benfica in the Champions League next week, which is followed by the first Madrid derby of the La Liga season on October 4.

Recent form: LDWWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLWW


Getafe

Emiliano Velazquez for Getafe on January 21, 2015© AFP

After a difficult run at the start of the new season, Getafe finally got off the mark with a 1-0 win over Malaga at the weekend, avoiding a fourth successive defeat, lifting them up to 14th in the table.

The arrival of on-loan striker Stefan Scepovic helped them clinch their opening win of the campaign, as the Celtic man headed in the only goal of the match just two minutes into his second appearance for the side.

Scoring has been something of a difficulty for Fran Escriba's side so far though, as they have notched just three goals in their opening four matches - less than half the amount this week's opponents have netted.

The team will likely need to be stronger going forward if they are to pick up a win in this match, as they struggled away from home last season, winning just four of their 19 away games, and losing 13.

The side suffered their worst finish in five years last season, ending up 15th in the final table. Since winning promotion to the top flight during the 2003-04 campaign, Getafe have only had two worse seasons.

Recent form: DLLLLW
Recent form (all competitions): WLLWLW


Team News

Koke for Atletico Madrid on October 4, 2014© Getty Images

The home side will be without Koke after he sustained a hamstring injury in the win over Eibar. The team expect the midfielder to be out of action until the start of next month.

Torres and Angel Correa may have done enough to earn a place in the starting lineup for Atletico, having both scored off the bench last time out.

Getafe will still be without Karim Yoda, who has not played since tearing his patellar tendon in March, while Roberto Lago is also a doubt after limping off in the second half against Malaga.

Emiliano Velazquez is on loan at Getafe from Atleti, but has been a staple at the Getafe defence so far this season, so is likely to feature against his parent club.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Godin, Luis, Juanfran, Gimenez; Tiago, Correa, Gabi; Griezmann, Torres, Vietto

Getafe possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Alexis, Vergini, Velazquez, Suarez; Lafita, Lacen, Rodriguez, Medran, Leon; Scepovic


Head To Head

When Getafe visited the Vicente Calderon last season, they were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline, as Atletico picked up their fourth win in a row against Tuesday's opponents.

Getafe have not won in their last nine meetings with Ateltico, seven of which have ended in defeat, with their last victory coming in 2011.

This fixture can throw up a few red cards, with six players being sent off in the last six meetings between the two teams, including in the goalless draw in 2013, when Atletico finished with just nine men on the pitch.

This will be the 27th meeting in all competitions between the two sides. Getafe have only beaten Atletico four times, while the hosts have 15 wins, and seven matches have ended in a draw.


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We say: Atletico Madrid 3-0 Getafe

Despite Getafe finally getting off the mark this season, playing away from home has been a different task for the visiting side. With Atletico having let few goals in this season, and started to find their rhythm up front, it should be a comfortable win for the home side.



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Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann (3rdL) celebrates with his team mates after scoring the second goal during the Champions League group C football match Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid on September 15, 2015
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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