Atletico Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they welcome Real Betis to Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday night.
Diego Simeone's side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Osasuna last time out, while Real Betis will enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Rayo Vallecano, which seriously dented their hopes of a Champions League finish.
Match preview
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Atletico suffered their sixth league defeat of the campaign against Osasuna last time out, with the result leaving them in third spot in the La Liga table, collecting 70 points from their 36 league fixtures this season.
At one stage, Simeone's team were in a title race, but they have fallen well short, currently sitting 15 points off champions Barcelona, while they are eight points behind second-placed Real Madrid, so third is the highest that Atletico can finish.
The Red and Whites also fell short in the Copa del Rey and Champions League, but they will be bidding to end the season on a positive note, with their final match of 2024-25 coming against Girona next weekend.
Atletico have the third-best home record in La Liga this season, picking up 43 points from 18 matches, but Real Betis have been impressive on their travels, picking up 26 points from their 18 away fixtures.
The Red and Whites recorded a 2-1 win over Real Betis in the corresponding match last season, but they suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Seville outfit when the pair locked horns in the reverse game back in October.
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Real Betis are looking for European glory this season, with the team preparing to tackle Chelsea in the final of the Conference League at the end of May, while they are still in the mix for a top-five finish in the La Liga table.
Back-to-back draws with Osasuna and Rayo Vallecano, coupled with excellent form for Villarreal, has made Champions League finish difficult, but they are at least in the argument heading into the final two gameweeks of 2024-25.
Manuel Pellegrini's side boast a record of 16 wins, 11 draws and nine defeats from their 36 league matches this season, with 59 points leaving them in sixth, five points behind fifth-placed Villarreal, who hold the final Champions League spot.
As it stands, Real Betis will be qualifying for the league stage of the Europa League, but securing Champions League football for next term would be a fine achievement for a team that has taken huge steps forward this term.
The Green and Whites are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions, while they have only lost one of their last three La Liga matches with Atletico, which came in the corresponding game last term.
Team News
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Atletico had a fully-fit squad for the clash with Osasuna last time out, and no fresh issues have been reported, so Simeone will once again have a very strong group to choose from on Sunday night.
The head coach is expected to make changes, with Antoine Griezmann, Samuel Lino, Nahuel Molina and Conor Gallagher all potentially being introduced, while there could also be a spot in the middle of the defence for Clement Lenglet.
Julian Alvarez is likely to partner Griezmann in the final third of the field, with Alexander Sorloth, who is being linked with a move away from Wanda Metropolitano, expected to drop to the bench.
As for Real Betis, Ezequiel Avila and Diego Llorente are both unavailable for selection due to hamstring injuries, while Juanmi, Hector Bellerin and Marc Roca remain doubts for the Seville outfit.
Youssouf Sabaly is also a doubt with the injury that forced him off the field against Rayo Vallecano, meaning that Aitor Ruibal could come into the side at right-back.
Antony and Isco have both been outstanding for Real Betis in the second half of the campaign, and the pair are again expected to be in the XI on Sunday night, with Cucho Hernandez set to lead the line.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Lino; Simeone, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Ruibal, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Cardoso, Fornals; Antony, Isco, Ezzalzouli; Hernandez
We say: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Betis
Atletico have home advantage, and they will be bidding to bounce back from a defeat last time out, but Real Betis are a quality outfit, and we are backing Pellegrini's side to secure a share of the spoils on Sunday night.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
