Atletico Madrid vs Elche Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Diego Simeone is under immediate pressure this season at the Metropolitano, as Atletico Madrid now welcome newly-promoted Elche to the capital city this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Atletico Madrid vs Elche may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Atletico Madrid preview: Worry for Atleti
Diego Simeone has enjoyed yet another summer transfer window of being financially backed by Atletico Madrid, but Los Rojiblancos began their season with a fairly humbling and concerning 2-1 loss at the RCDE Stadium against Espanyol.
In a game in which Atletico played reasonably well in the first-half in Catalonia, they took the lead via a Julian Alvarez free-kick. However, Espanyol turned the game on its head thanks to strikes from Miguel Angel Rubio and Pere Milla.
Elche preview: Impressive Elche
Elche gained promotion to the top-flight last season and, with Eder Sarabia sticking in charge, the Valencians have embarked upon an impressive summer transfer window which has recently seen Federico Redondo, Andre Silva and Rafa Mir join.
On the opening day of the season, they faced a tough test in Real Betis and did go behind to the Andalusians in the first-half via Aitor Ruibal, but they managed to pull things level and earn themselves a 1-1 draw in the second-half via German Valera.
Atletico Madrid team news: Finding the formula
Finding the formula was a prolonged issue for Diego Simeone last season and now things are tougher with even more options. Jose Maria Gimenez remains a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Gallagher, Johnny; Giuliano Simeone, Alex Baena, Almada; Julian Alvarez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Jose Maria Gimenez (Injured)
Elche team news: A few issues
Ahead of their trip to the capital city this weekend, Elche do have a few issues as new signing Leo Petrot is now sidelined through injury alongside experienced midfielder Yago Santiago.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Matias Dituro; Alvaro Nunez, Affengruber, Pedro Bigas, Jairo; Aleix Febas, Marc Aguado, Ali Houary; German Valera, Alvaro, Silva
Unavailable: Petrot (Injured), Yago Santiago (Injured)
Questionable: Boayar (Injured)
Atletico Madrid vs Elche prediction
Atletico Madrid have been pressured into evolving their style of football in recent years and Diego Simeone is coming under intense scrutiny from the outside. They have often therefore been a little less defensively solid, whilst also lacking a relentless ruthlessness in the final third. Elche have the right style and now improved personnel to cause issues at the Metropolitano, even if Atleti still come out on top.
Atletico Madrid vs Elche tip: Atletico Madrid to win & both teams to score
