Elche vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Elche are fighting for their lives in La Liga as they now welcome an Atletico Madrid side that are reeling from their cup final defeat to Real Sociedad at the weekend.
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 any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Elche preview: Fighting Elche
Eder Sarabia and his Elche side, following their promotion to the top-flight last season, had been strong throughout the first-half of the campaign before collapsing in recent months as they remain in the bottom three and the relegation places.
The hosts do now come into this one on the back of two victories in their last three matches, having managed to edge past regional rivals Valencia by a goal to nil about ten or so days ago, courtesy of a 73rd minute winner scored by Lucas Cepeda.
Atletico Madrid preview: Defeated in the final
Atletico Madrid head into this having been beaten on penalties by Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja in Seville. Los Rojiblancos had been focused on the cup and the UEFA Champions League with little to play for in La Liga.
In fact, their most recent outing in the league saw a heavily rotated Atleti side beaten 2-1 by a struggling Sevilla, following on from back-to-back losses against Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Elche team news: A few doubts
Elche are dealing with a few key doubts for this weekend as former Barcelona defender Hector Fort potentially sidelined alongside both Marc Aguado and Grady Diangana.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Matias Dituro; Sangare, Affengruber, Petrot, German Valera; Tete Morente, Gonzalo Villar, Aleix Febas, Neto; Silva, Rafa Mir
Unavailable:
Questionable: Hector Fort (Injured), Marc Aguado (Injured), Diangana (Injured)
Atletico Madrid team news: Possible rotation
There is an expectation that Atletico will rotate a fair bit this weekend due to their cup final clash. They have some injuries defensively, too, as David Hancko is a doubt with Jose Maria Gimenez a confirmed absentee.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Musso; Marcos Llorente, Lenglet, Le Normand, Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Obed Vargas, Koke, Almada; Alex Baena; Sorloth
Unavailable: Jose Maria Gimenez (Injured)
Questionable: Hancko (Injured)
Elche vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Eder Sarabia is known for his attacking and proactive style of football. However, he has been able to batten down the hatches of late as they begin the match day sitting just a point and a place from outright safety. They now face an Atleti side that have complete focus on La Liga. Atleti will return to a stronger side here but they are reeling from their cup final loss ahead of facing Arsenal in the semi-finals in the UEFA Champions League. With home advantage and that in mind, siding with Elche may well be the way to go for this one.
Elche vs Atletico Madrid tip: Double chance – Elche to win or draw
