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MATCH PREVIEW

The late game on Sunday in LaLiga is another very significant game in terms of deciding how this season’s title race will shape up. Atletico Madrid will know this is one of their toughest remaining fixtures but with a trip to Barcelona on the horizon, it’s also one they need to win with a draw not really good enough as far as Diego Simeone’s side are concerned.

Athletic, while they’ve tailed off a bit since a bright start under Marcelino, are still a difficult nut to crack. All of their last five league games have ended level, including three 0-0 draws and they are the kind of team which could sit deep and make things very difficult for Atleti who aren’t blessed with an array of creative players to break down such a set-up.

Whatever happens between now and the end of the campaign, Athletic will head into the summer break on a bit of a sour note following those two cup final defeats. They are too far back to challenge for Europe but can at least take solace from being in a stronger financial position than most clubs in Spain which could allow them to be more competitive next term.

Atletico Madrid, on the pitch at least, have had an excellent week. The wheels really did look to be falling off their title challenge but back-to-back home wins over Eibar and Huesca by an aggregate score of 7-0 was just what the doctor ordered. With four teams competing for the title, every side knows that draws are almost as bad as defeats and Diego Simeone may feel as though he has to throw caution to the wind to some extent here.

Up front, injuries to Joao Felix and Luis Suarez could have been a hammer blow to their title challenge but Marcos Llorente, Angel Correa and Yannick Carrasco have stepped up to the plate in their absence. Between them, the trio have scored all of Atleti’s last 8 games in LaLiga and they will surely be the focal point of the visiting team’s attack again here.

PREDICTION

This doesn’t have the feel of a game that is going to produce many goals. Athletic have gone back into their shell a bit in recent weeks and aren’t creating many chances at all but defensively they have been sound in LaLiga and they may just have enough to dent Atleti’s title challenge by holding Los Rojiblancos to a point.

More than 2 goals will be predicted for this match.

Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.