MX23RW : Monday, December 23 08:33:02| >> :120:33506:33506:

Preview: Elche vs. Atletico Madrid

Sports Mole previews Atletico Madrid's La Liga trip to second-from-bottom Elche, with Diego Simeone expected to reshuffle his squad after Copa del Rey action.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is expected to restore many of his first-team regulars for their La Liga trip to struggling Elche on Saturday.

The Spanish champions rested many of their high-profile names for the 3-0 Copa del Rey first-leg victory over third-tier L'Hospitalet in midweek.

Antoine Greizmann came off the bench to get the ball rolling for Atletico in the second half and is one of 10 players who could be recalled this weekend.

Jose Giminez is the only one of the 11 starters who are likely to feature from the off against Elche, with Saul Niguez, Alessio Cerci, Cristian Rodriguez, Guilherme Siqueira and Mario Suarez among those missing out.

Miranda remains injured, but captain Gabi is available again after suspension and will return in midfield alongside Koke and Tiago as Madrid go in search of a third straight win, which could briefly take them second.

While they have been imperious at the Vicente Calderon this term, Atletico have already dropped eight points on the road and cannot afford many more away slip-ups if they are to keep up with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

However, Simeone will be hopeful that an Elche side who have won just one of their last 10 games and sit second from bottom in the table will cause them few problems at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.

Fran Escriba's side were also in cup action in midweek - holding Real Valladolid to a 0-0 stalemate - but they have only kept one clean sheet in the league this season and their 27 goals conceded is the second highest.

Six changes were made for their trip to Valladolid and so Escriba could bring David Lomban, Victor Rodriguez, and six-goal top scorer Jonathas back into his team to face a side whom they have never beaten.

Elche:

Form in La Liga: LLWDDL
Form in all competitions: LWDDLD

Possible starting lineup: Tyton; Suarez, Lomban, Cisma, Pelegrin; Mosquera, Gonzalez, Victor Rodriguez, Fajr; Herrera, Jonathas

Atletico:

Form in La Liga: WWWLWW
Form in all competitions: WLWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Giminez, Ansaldi; Tiago, Koke, Garcia; Griezmann, Turan, Mandzukic

Sports Mole says: 1-3


ID:191806: cacheID:191806:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5511:
Written by
Joe Fish
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone looks on prior to kick-off in the Champions League semi-final first leg match against Chelsea on April 22, 2014
Read Next:
Lucas to make Atletico debut
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
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


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!