LaLiga 2022-23: Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Espanyol’s uphill task to get out of relegation continues as they host second-placed Atletico Madrid at home

As LaLiga moves toward the conclusion of the season, Wednesday’s game is between second-placed teams from the top half and bottom half of the table. Not only that Atletico Madrid and Espanyol will feature three of LaLiga’s top goal-scorers. Jose Luis Sanmartin Mato, of Espanyol, is third in the league, while Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata and Grizemann are on fifth.

Atletico Madrid earned a win in its most recent match 3-0 over CA Osasuna at home on May 21. Osasuna was outshot in the match, 12 compared to 16. Saul Niguez, Yannick Carrasco, and Angel Correa combined to score three goals for their side in the match against Osasuna.

Madrid have only managed to not score in a match only thrice in the 20 matches they have played which only tells the story of their attack in the absence of Depay & Llorente whereas their away record is a little bit shaky as they have lost two matches out of 05 away so they are not very comfortable on the road, their recent loss came against Elche was again an away match.  

Espanyol secured a 2-1 road win over Rayo Vallecano in its last game on May 21, even though it was outshot 14 to eight. Sergi Darder and Nicolas Melamed Ribaudo led Espanyol with a goal apiece. This also ended their 02 matches losing streak and gave them a space to breathe but the job is all but far from over when you are placed in the 19th spot and only have 03 matches to go.

Atlético de Madrid are unbeaten in their last four games against Espanyol in La Liga (W3 D1) having lost three of their previous four against them in the competition (W1). Atlético de Madrid have lost three of their first 12 LaLiga 2022-23 games (W7 D2), their highest tally of defeats at this stage of the season in the top-flight since 2016-17 (W6 D3 L3). So far this season, RCD Espanyol have averaged 1 points per game at home matches and Atlético Madrid 1.94 Points Per Game at away matches.

Kick-off

Wednesday, 25-05-2023, 04:00 pm (ET)

Thursday, 25-05-2023, 01:30 am (IST)

Stadium: RCDE Stadium, Cornellana, Spain

Espanyol Form (In All Competitions): W- L- L- W- L

Atletico Madrid Form (In All Competitions): W- L- W- W- W

Player to watch

Espanyol: Joselu Mato

Espanyol’s striker scored 15 goals in 32 games in La Liga 2022-23, his best single-season tally in Europe’s top five leagues since 14 goals in 37 games for Alavés in 2021-22. 7 of the 15 goals were scored at home while he scored 8 goals at away games.

Overall, Jose Luis Sanmartin Mato's goals scored per 90 minutes is 0.48. Moreover, Jose Luis Sanmartin Mato's total G/A (goals + assists) is 17 for this season. He has been running a one-man show for the underwhelming team and could be the best player who could make trouble to the defense of Simeone’s free-scoring side. Should Espanyol go down, he will attract the attention of La Liga teams who would be looking for his attributes for themselves.

Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann

The French international has scored 13 goals in 35 matches so far in the La Liga 2022-2023 season. 8 of the 13 goals were scored at home while he scored 5 goals at away games. Overall, Antoine Griezmann's goals scored per 90 minutes is 0.45. Moreover, Antoine Griezmann's total G/A (goals + assists) is 26 for this season which puts him the best player for the Madrid team.

He has been a frequent threat up front and looks like the Grizzi who was before his shambolic spell at Catalonia’s Capital. He will be looking to continue his spree of good form and outscore his teammate, Alvaro Morata (13 goals) to make a statement for this season.

Match Facts

• Espanyol boss Diego Martínez has failed to win in his five games as a manager against Atlético de Madrid in LaLiga (D2 L3) - only against Real Madrid he has managed more matches without a win in the competition (G5 L5) – also four v Villarreal (D2 L2) and Levante (D3 L1).
• Brian Oliván has assisted three of Espanyol’s last six goals in LaLiga, two of these assists for Joselu Mato’s headed goals – he has provided the most assists in the competition this season among the Espanyol players.
• Atlético de Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann has been involved in at least one goal in each of his last five appearances in LaLiga (three goals and three assists), his longest such run in the competition since January 2019 (seven matches, seven goals and two assists).

Injury and Team News for Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid

Espanyol: Injury – Jose Gragera (Ankle Injury) & M. Braithwaite (Hamstring)

Atletico Madrid: Injury – J. Oblak (Knock), M. Depay (Calf Muscle Strain) whereas S. Savic, T. Lemar & Marcos Llorente are all sidelined due to Hamstring problems.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches – 20

Espanyol – 04

Atletico Madrid – 12

Draws – 04

Predicted Lineups for Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid

Espanyol Predicted Lineup (5- 4- 1)

F. Pacheco, L. Cabrera, Sergi Gomez, C. Montes, B. Olivan, Oscar Gil, Javi Puado, Denis Suarez, Darder, Nico Meamed, Joselu

Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineup (5-3-2)

Grbic, A. Witsel, J. Gimenez, Hermoso, N. Molina, De Paul, Koke, Saul, Carrasco, Griezmann, Morata

Match Prediction for Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid

Espanyol needs a result out of this match more to take themselves in a position to at least take the relegation battle in the final weeks and hope for a slip-up in teams just sitting above, however looking at their home record it would be a hard-fought challenge with Atletico as they have never been able to defeat them since 2019.

So far this season in LaLiga, RCD Espanyol has averaged 1 Point Per Game at home matches and Atlético Madrid 1.94 Points Per Game in away matches. Atletico will be looking to finish as a runner-’s with their city rivals in 03rd spot and would be more confident among the two to take the win away.

Prediction: Espanyol 1 – 3 Atletico Madrid

Telecast

India – Jio TV

USA – ESPN+

United Kingdom – Free Sports

Nigeria – Supersport, StarTimes, Canal+