Espanyol take on the visitors Atletico Madrid at “RCDE Stadium” in the gameweek 17 of the Spanish LaLiga. The match will be played in Barcelona on Friday, December 22nd.
Before the start of the season Espanyol were expected to become a real revelation: there club is wealthy enough, besides, the team is ruled by a strong head-coach - Quique Sanchez Flores. Last year “Periquitos” almost qualified to the Eurocups, however, in this season the side doesn’t justify the expectations. Obviously, it is too early to talk about a complete failure, but the Catalans will not claim for sure for the European tournaments in this season. The team recorded two defeats from Eibar 1:3 and Girona 0:1 together with 2:2 draw against Las Palmas in the recent clashes within the Spanish elite division. Besides, Espanyol have great difficulties with the offense, suffering from the absence of a leader and a strong sticker, having managed to score only 13 goals in 16 rounds played. Another weakness of the “Periquitos” which has been typical for them in the previous season as well, is their complete disability to compete with the LaLiga leaders: in this season the club has lost already to Barcelona 0:5, Real Madrid 0:2 and Valencia 0:2.
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Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are on fire now. The side demonstrates its best shape and classic accurate football, having earned 1:0 triumph over Alaves, 0:1 defeat from Betis and 2:1 victory over Real Sociedad in the latest battles. Besides, Diego Simeone’s team has also thrashed Levante with 5:0 scoreline recently. A few months ago “Los Colchoneros” faced with the huge problems in offense because of the some players’ poor physical shape, injures and age. And now the situation improves substantially: the attacking footballers have recaptured their best form as well as the club’s defense also stay tough, having conceded only seven goals in 16 encounters conducted.
The upcoming head-to-head will be a fight of two rock-solid defenses in which success will be on behalf of the better tactician. Taking into consideration that at this point Atletico Madrid show a remarkable form, keeping suitable chances for the champion’s title in this season, especially, on the eve of the “El Clasico”, I believe that Diego Simeone’s team has better chances for a favourable outcome of the forthcoming battle.
Prediction for the match: Atletico Madrid to win with 0.0 Asian handicap.
