Atletico Madrid will be looking to record their seventh La Liga victory in a row when they continue their 2020-21 campaign at home to Real Valladolid on Saturday evening.
Diego Simeone's side are currently second in the table, just a point behind leaders Real Sociedad with two games in hand, while Valladolid occupy 17th position, having struggled for results this term.
Match preview
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There is certainly an argument that Atletico are the favourites for La Liga this season, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona having their fair share of issues in the early stages of 2020-21.
Simeone's team have been excellent in Spain's top flight this term, winning seven and drawing two of their nine matches to collect 23 points, which is enough for second position in the table.
The capital giants have two games in hand on leaders Sociedad, meanwhile, and are only a point behind the Basque club, which is an indication of their strength at this stage of the campaign.
Atletico have incredibly conceded just twice in their nine league games, while they have won their last six, including back-to-back 1-0 victories over Barcelona and Valencia in their last two.
The Red and Whites also picked up a point against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night but still have work to do if they are to qualify for the knockout round of the competition.
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Valladolid, though, have not quite been as impressive as their opponents, collecting just 10 points from their 11 matches, which has left them in 17th position in the table.
Only Real Betis (seven) have lost more La Liga games than Sergio Gonzalez's side (five) this term, while they are level on points with 18th-placed Celta Vigo on the same number of matches.
The White and Violets will bring an impressive three-game unbeaten run into this contest, though, collecting seven points from the last nine available against Athletic Bilbao, Granada and Levante.
Valladolid actually finished 13th last term and are in their third straight campaign at this level of football, but the early indications are that it could be a tough season for the club owned by Brazil legend Ronaldo.
Atletico Madrid La Liga form: WWWWWW
Atletico Madrid form (all competitions): DWWDWD
Real Valladolid La Liga form: DLLWWD
Team News
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Atletico could have Luis Suarez available this weekend, although it seems unlikely that the Uruguay international, who has recently been absent due to coronavirus, will come straight into the XI.
There is every chance that Suarez could be on the bench, though, which would be a huge boost for Simeone's side at a key stage of the season. Joao Felix and Angel Correa have impressed in the South American's absence, and the pair should continue in the final third of the field.
Diego Costa, Manu Sanchez and Sime Vrsaljko remain unavailable for selection, but the squad is otherwise in good shape, and the likes of Saul Niguez, Koke and Marcos Llorente should all start.
Mario Hermoso could again get the nod over Renan Lodi, while Felipe, Hector Herrera and Thomas Lemar are likely to be among the home side's substitutes.
As for Valladolid, Kiko Olivas is out with a long-term knee injury, but the visitors are otherwise in excellent shape when it comes to absentees.
Head coach Sergio is unlikely to make changes from the XI that started against Levante, with Maranhao, who has scored in his last three league appearances, set to continue alongside Sergi Guardiola in the final third of the field.
Saidy Janko and Jota are both pushing for spots in the side, but Fabian Orellana and Oscar Plano are likely to retain their starting roles for the clash at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso; Llorente, Saul, Koke, Carrasco; Correa, Felix
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Hervias, Joaquin, Bruno, Nacho; Orellana, Alcaraz, Fede, Plano; Guardiola, Maranhao
We say: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Real Valladolid
Atletico are absolutely flying at the moment, and it is very, very difficult to predict anything other than a home win on Saturday evening. Valladolid's recent form deserves a lot of respect, but Simeone's side should have too much on their own patch, moving to the top of the table in the process.
