It will be third versus fifth on Sunday when the in-form Atletico Madrid host flying Real Betis at the Metropolitan Stadium from 19:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Atletico Madrid’s Unbeaten Run
Diego Simeone and his charges are on a 10-match unbeaten run in La Liga. This run of form has seen Atletico move into third on the table, just five points behind second-placed Real Madrid.
Simeone’s men have won four times in their last five matches and drawn once. They have collected 13 points out of the available 15.
They will be looking to maintain this good run of form when they host another in-form side, Real Betis, at the Metropolitano on Sunday.
Real Betis’ Top Four Hopes
Real Betis, fifth on the La Liga table, will be looking to push for a position in the top four in the run-in.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men have 45 points, meaning they are three points behind third-placed Real Sociedad and a further eight points behind third-placed, and their next opponent in La Liga, Atletico Madrid.
Betis will look to win the clash with Atletico on Sunday and bolster their top-four prospects, especially with the run-in starting in earnest.
Injury Report
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone has only one injury to worry about ahead of welcoming Real Betis to the Metropolitano, that of left back Reinioldo Mandava.
The 29-year-old left-back is nursing a cruciate ligament rupture and has been sidelined with the injury since February 25, 2023.
The fullback has missed sixteen matches for Atletico. The club have not set a date for his return to fitness, which means that he is unlikely to make his comeback against Betis on Sunday.
Real Betis
Manuel Pellegrini will be without three players for the trip to the capital to face Atletico; two to injury and one to suspension.
Attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir is out of action with a cruciate ligament rupture. The 29-year-old has been out of the matchday squad since February 27, 2023.
Fekir has already missed 17 matches for Betis this season, and he will not be available until September 17, 2023.
Right winger Juan Cruz is also out of selection with a muscle injury. The 22-year-old is expected back by April 2nd, 2023; this match will come too soon for the forward.
Due to suspension, Pellegrini will not consider right-back Martin Montoya for selection for the clash with Atletico.
Possible Lineups
Atletico Madrid
J. Oblak; N. Molina, S. Savic, J. Gimenez, M. Hermoso, Y. Ferreira Carrasco; M. Llorente, Koke, R. De Paul; M. Depay, A. Griezmann
Real Betis
R. Silva; Y. Sabaly, G. Pezzella, E. Gonzalez, J. Miranda; G. Rodriguez, A. Guardado; S. Canales, A. Perez, Rodri; B. Iglesias
Prediction
Unbeaten in their last 10 league games, Atletico will be looking to extend their good run of form when they host Real Betis, who are unbeaten in six La Liga matches, at the Metropolitano.
Atletico will look to maintain their identity approaches comprising a balance between a compact defensive unit and a tactically fluid approach in attack. Playing at home, they will look to take the initiative, dominate possession, and have territorial advantage. This will allow them to penetrate Betis and create chances.
Real Betis will look to play on the front foot. They will seek to keep the ball, press Atletico out of possession, and push the home side back. This will allow them to enjoy the territorial advantage and create better quality chances. However, this will also leave them open to Atletico counterattacks.
Atletico will win this match, extend their good run of form, and solidify their hold on third spot on the La Liga table.
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