Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Espanyol are batting and improving in their bid to avoid relegation to the second-tier of Spanish football as they welcome title challenging Atletico Madrid to the RCDE Stadium this week.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 29th March, 2025: UK – 3:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Espanyol Preview: Catalan improvement
Manolo Gonzalez took charge of Espanyol last summer with Luis Garcia going to become the Qatari national team head coach and, following promotion back to the top-flight, Espanyol were always expected to struggle but they have managed to push themselves up the table.
The Catalans begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting 15th in the table, albeit just one point above the bottom three and the relegation places. They most recently suffered a dramatic 2-1 loss to Real Mallorca in the Balearic Islands a couple of weeks ago.
Atletico Madrid Preview: A miserable week
Atletico Madrid, under the management of Diego Simeone, have been very impressive this season but their UEFA Champions League hopes were ended by Real Madrid on penalties in the Round of 16 with that loss sandwiched by crucial defeats in La Liga.
After being beaten by Getafe by two goals to one when they did lead very late on, they went into the March international break beaten 4-2 by Barcelona at the Metropolitano in a game in which they were 2-0 up with less than 20 minutes of the game to go.
Espanyol Team News: Several issues
Espanyol are dealing with a few issues for this one as young defender Pablo Ramon is definitely sidelined due to a knee injury, whilst the likes of goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco and midfield duo Edu Exposito and Jose Gragera are doubtful.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pol Lozano; Jofre Carreras, Urko Gonzalez; Kral; Javi Puado, Veliz
Unavailable: Pablo Ramon (Injured)
Questionable: Fernando Pacheco (Injured), Alvaro Tejero (Injured), Edu Exposito (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured)
Atletico Madrid Team News: Fully fit
With no UEFA Champions League football to plan for, albeit they do have a midweek clash in the Copa del Rey, as well as a fully fit and available squad for this weekend, Atletico Madrid will be able to name their strongest eleven for this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez, Le Normand, Javi Galan; Giuliano Simeone, Pablo Barrios, De Paul, Gallagher; Griezmann, Julian Alvarez
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid Prediction
Espanyol, as mentioned, have been improving since the turn of the year with Manolo Gonzalez able to play a better and more cohesive defensive style of football that is able to restrict their opposition. That will frustrate an Atletico Madrid side that already find it stifling to be quite attacking, despite their evolvement in recent years. Atletico would have to be viewed as favourites but it is unlikely to be a thriller for the neutral.
Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid Tip: Atletico Madrid to win & under 3.5 goals
