This weekend sees two of the top three clash in the early Saturday kick-off in La Liga as Atletico Madrid welcome Sevilla to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico Madrid have been the only club in recent years to step up and challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona in both La Liga and the Champions League. Diego Simeone has done a wonderful job in establishing the club as a force both domestically and in Europe. This weekend they host Sevilla in what is the pick of the fixtures in Spain.
Atletico Madrid Form
Atletico Madrid come into this match unbeaten in all competitions this season and look set to enjoy another good campaign. The 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao in mid-week was their second straight victory in the league following the 1-0 home win against Malaga last weekend. It leaves Atletico Madrid third in La Liga with 11 points to show from their 5 matches played.
They started the campaign with a 2-2 draw at Girona but then travelled to Las Palmas and came away with a convincing 5-1 victory. Then came two 0-0 draws, the first at Valencia in La Liga and the second at Roma in the Champions League. Having played out the 2-2 draw in Girona, Atletico Madrid have returned to their old selves defensively and conceded only 2 goals in their last 5 matches in all competitions. At home, Atletico Madrid have scored in all but one of their last 12 La Liga games and kept 8 clean sheets.
Sevilla Form
Sevilla come into this match sitting one place and 2 points clear of their hosts in the league table. It has been a very good start to the season and like Atletico Madrid they come into this match with an unbeaten record to defend. Sevilla started the season with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Espanyol but soon found their first win, defeating Getafe 1-0 away from home. What followed was 3 straight wins in La Liga, with home victories against Las Palmas and Eibar and an away win at Girona. Sandwiched in-between those results was a good 2-2 draw at Liverpool in the Champions League.
Sevilla have conceded just 1 goal in their 5 La Liga games this season and have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 4 league games. That record will be put to the test at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano this weekend.
Team News
Augusto Fernandez is the only player who has been ruled out of this match for Atletico Madrid. Filipe Luis was withdrawn in mid-week but should be fit to take his place in the starting XI along with Angel Correa, who continued his good form on Wednesday night. Sevilla should be close to full strength for this match, the only player who will miss out is Nolito who is injured. Ever Banega should start the match in midfield with Wissam Ben Yedder leading the attack.
Top Betting Tips
Given the strong defensive record of both teams, do not expect an open, attacking match. Goals could be at a premium in this game and under 2.5 goals is 1/1 with Ladbrokes. Both teams have proved tough to beat this season but with the home advantage, you must fancy Atletico Madrid to be the team who will make the breakthrough in this match. You can get 7/4 with Ladbrokes for Atletico Madrid to win the game to nil and 6/1 for the hosts to claim a 1-0 victory.