Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Although their 2-2 draw with Las Palmas last time had some drama, Espanyol’s games have been largely free of drama this season.

Prior to that game, 8 of their previous 9 games had ended in under 2.5 goals and a whopping 75% of their home games ended that way.

With Atleti also a solid side defensively, this game looks likely to end in a draw or a low-scoring affair.

The Catalans have offered almost nothing in their attacking play with at least 50% of their games ending with them not finding the back of the net.

Only two teams in the division have netted fewer than their 0.81 goals per games this season.

Atletico Madrid led by Diego Simeone are the ultimate survivors.

The Madrid based sided headed into this season with a transfer ban on their head and a new stadium.

Many people expected them to have a bad season, judging by how Tottenham struggled at Wembley last season.

However, Diego Simeone’s men have not only survived, they have arguable thrived as they head into their last fixture of the year unbeaten and with an opportunity to close the gap on Barcelona to just 3 points.

With Diego Costa available from their next game, they look prime to mount a serious title challenge at the moment especially having been eliminated from the Champions League.

Their defence was a little suspect at the beginning of the season, but they have improved as they have conceded just 0.44 goals per game this season.

They have a clean sheet ratio of 67% and come into this game off the back of two 1-0 wins.

Bookmakers believe Atleti will come out on top in this game making them early odds-on favourites.

Results of each team’s last 5 matches across all leagues and competitions

Espanyol

LAST FIVE GAMES						DATE	COMPETITION
D	Las Palmas		2-2		Espanyol	17 Dec, 2017	Spanish Primera División
L	Espanyol		0-1		Girona	11 Dec, 2017	Spanish Primera División
L	Eibar		3-1		Espanyol	3 Dec, 2017	Spanish Primera División
W	Espanyol		3-2		Tenerife	30 Nov, 2017	Spanish Copa del Rey
W	Espanyol		1-0		Getafe	27 Nov, 2017	Spanish Primera División

Atletico Madrid

LAST FIVE GAMES						DATE	COMPETITION
W	Atletico Madrid		1-0		Alavés	16 Dec, 2017	Spanish Primera División
W	Real Betis		0-1		Atletico Madrid	10 Dec, 2017	Spanish Primera División
D	Chelsea		1-1		Atletico Madrid	5 Dec, 2017	Champions League
W	Atletico Madrid		2-1		Real Sociedad	2 Dec, 2017	Spanish Primera División
W	Atletico Madrid		3-0		Elche	29 Nov, 2017	Spanish Copa del Rey

H2H

LAST FIVE GAMES					DATE	COMPETITION
Espanyol		0-1		Atletico Madrid	22 Apr, 2017	Spanish Primera División
Atletico Madrid		0-0		Espanyol	3 Dec, 2016	Spanish Primera División
Espanyol		1-3		Atletico Madrid	9 Apr, 2016	Spanish Primera División
Atletico Madrid		1-0		Espanyol	28 Nov, 2015	Spanish Primera División
Espanyol		0-0		Atletico Madrid	14 Mar, 2015	Spanish Primera División

Other fixtures taking place this week in the Spanish Primera:

Spanish Primera Table

Spanish Primera Results