Preview: Getafe vs. Atletico Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

Following a relatively disappointing draw last time out, defending La Liga champions Atletico Madrid will look to make a return to winning ways on Tuesday, when they travel to take on Getafe.

Having failed to collect a point so far, the hosts sit in 19th spot in the La Liga table, while Los Colchoneros sit on 11 points from their opening five outings.

Match preview

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Having only avoided relegation by four points last season, Getafe will have headed into the new campaign with the hopes of a more comfortable finish, but they have had a particularly disappointing start, failing to pick up a point from their first five games.

While defeats to Valencia, Sevilla and Barcelona in the first three games are understandable, Michel's side have failed to take advantage of two more manageable matches in the last week, as they firstly lost 1-0 at home to Elche.

The Azulones travelled to take on newly-promoted Rayo Vallecano last time out, and they were handed a 3-0 thrashing as Oscar Trejo put the hosts ahead inside the first 20 minutes and Pathe Ciss and Radamel Falcao capped off a dominant performance with second-half goals.

Michel's side now face the unenviable task of taking on the champions in their desperate search for a result, with only Alaves' inferior goal difference preventing them from sitting at the foot of the division, having scored just one goal in their opening five outings.

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Atletico Madrid started their title defence with back-to-back victories over Celta Vigo and Elche but were then held to a 2-2 draw by Villarreal.

Diego Simeone's men bounced back with a narrow 2-1 win over newly-promoted Espanyol, as Thomas Lemar hit a 99th-minute winner, before being held to a goalless draw by Portuguese outfit Porto in their opening group game of this year's Champions League.

Los Colchoneros now come into Tuesday's game on the back of consecutive goalless draws, as Saturday's clash with Athletic Bilbao also ended as a stalemate, with Simeone's side arguably showing a lack of a cutting edge so far this term.

With the likes of Real Madrid enjoying strong starts to the season, Atletico Madrid will know that they cannot afford to lose much ground at this stage of the title race, and will be keen to get back to winning ways and build a run of results.

Team News

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Getafe are expected to remain without Mauro Arambarri and Sabit Abdulai through injury, after both missed out on Saturday.

After another heavy defeat, they may look to make changes to the squad, although experienced winger Vitolo will be unable to come into the starting XI as he is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Carlos Alena has arguably been one of the few shining lights this campaign, with the former Barcelona midfielder offering quality going forward.

Atletico Madrid come in without attacker Joao Felix, who was sent off last time out and will serve a suspension as a result.

While Antoine Griezmann is yet to hit the ground running on his return from Barcelona on loan, he should again occupy a spot in the front line, with Luis Suarez also pushing for a starting spot after helping them to the title with 21 La Liga goals last season.

Simeone will continue with the back three of Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez and Mario Hermoso, while competition for spots in midfield is far more intense, with the likes of Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo De Paul, Geoffrey Kondogbia all staking claims for places.

Meanwhile, captain Koke was absent from the squad last time out and could miss out again on Tuesday.

Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Suarez, Djene, Cuenca, Olivera; Alena, Maksimovic, Luis, Chema, Jankto; Unal

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso; Trippier, Llorente, De Paul, Kondogbia, Carrasco; Suarez, Griezmann

We say: Getafe 0-2 Atletico Madrid

Given Getafe's poor start to the new season, Tuesday presents a good opportunity for Simeone's men to build confidence and return to winning ways.

While they have not been overly convincing so far, Los Colchoneros boast the quality to cruise past their hosts and put a much-needed victory on the board.