Almeria vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid’s top-four hopes are on the line as they make a must-win journey to Power Horse Stadium to take on La Liga whipping boys Almeria.

Despite going unbeaten in back-to-back La Liga games for the first time this season (D2), Almeria’s chances of avoiding relegation are bordering sci-fi. Pinned to the foot of the table as the only side in Europe’s top-five leagues yet to win a top-flight match (D8, L17), they start this round as the only La Liga team still stranded at single digits, languishing 12 points adrift of safety. Atletico Madrid’s upcoming visit to Power Horse Stadium increases the odds of another disappointment, not least because they’ve lost four of their last five league H2Hs (D1). However, let’s not rule Almeria out yet. They’ve held their more esteemed visitors winless in three of their four most recent La Liga clashes on home turf (W1, D2).

With much less time to rest and prepare for this fixture than their hosts following a narrow 1-0 loss at Inter Milan in midweek Champions League action, Atletico Madrid can’t afford to take this assignment lightly. Given a significant gulf in class between the sides, this feels like a prime opportunity for Diego Simeone’s charges to build momentum after a nightmarish five-game run in all competitions (W1, D1, L3). However, Atleti’s travel sickness has seen them suffer as many as five defeats in their last seven away league matches (W1, D1), highlighting the significance of taking three points here. They don’t have to look beyond the past weekend for a guideline as an emphatic home performance against Las Palmas produced a comprehensive 5-0 victory, steering them two points clear of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao.