Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Steady but inconsistent Espanyol kick off their 2026-27 La Liga campaign with the visit of Atletico Madrid to the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona on Saturday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – 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 / USA – ESPN+
Espanyol preview: Mid-table Espanyol
Manolo Gonzalez came under intense pressure after Espanyol collapsed in the second half of last season but the Catalans have stuck by their former B team boss as they once again stutter with inconsistency both in terms of performances and results.
Espanyol returned from the international break with a 1-1 draw against Malaga at La Rosaleda, scoring after 13 minutes via Bryan Zaragoza before the Andalusians pinched a point with a 93rd minute equaliser notched by Adrian Nino.
Atletico Madrid preview: Back in form
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side have returned to form after a stuttering start to the season with Los Rojiblancos easing past Manchester United by two goals to nil at the Metropolitano last week with goals scored by Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman.
Atleti were a little frustrated in the opening month of the campaign but they have now enjoyed five successive victories across all competitions, having beaten Deportivo Alaves by two goals to one in the Basque Country last weekend.
Espanyol team news: Fresh injuries
Espanyol have some fresh injury concerns for this one as goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic has sustained a back injury with both Andoni Gorosabel and Jofre Carreras now doubts, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Angel Fortuno; El Hilali, Riedel, Leandro Cabrera, Hartman; Edu Exposito, Pol Lozano; Dolan, Javi Hernandez, Bryan Zaragoza; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Kike (Injured)
Questionable: Dmitrovic (Injured), Andoni Gorosabel (Injured), Jofre Carreras (Injured)
Atletico Madrid team news: Fully fit
Atletico boast a deep and now fully fit and available squad at the moment. The depth in qualify of their squad is expected to see Diego Simeone regularly rotate game-to-game.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Marc Pubill, Romero, Hancko, Alex Grimaldo; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Alex Baena; David, Lookman
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Espanyol have some in-form attackers in both Bryan Zaragoza and Roberto Fernandez, and with home advantage they may well sense an opportunity here to attack Atletico. The visitors can be quite open, albeit they were untroubled against Manchester United in midweek. Atletico remain firm favourites for this one in Catalonia but Espanyol will fancy themselves to create against the often leaky Atleti defence and with their own in-form attackers.
Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid tip: Atletico Madrid to win & both teams to score
