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MATCH PREVIEW

The standout fixture this weekend in LaLiga sees leaders Atletico Madrid travel to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan to take on Sevilla. It’s one of the stiffest remaining tests for Atleti in their passage towards a potential league title and the outcome here could have a significant impact on which team ends up with their hands on the trophy in late May.

Sevilla aren’t among those sides in with a realistic shot at winning the title despite briefly harbouring hopes a couple of months back. Back-to-back defeats against Elche and Barcelona ended those dreams but they’ve bounced back reasonably well with 7 points from their subsequent 3 matches culminating in a dramatic late draw at Real Valladolid last time out as their goalkeeper Bono popped up a late equaliser, becoming the second keeper to score in LaLiga this season.

With a 10 point advantage on 5th place and no more cup commitments, Sevilla are perhaps the team in LaLiga with the least amount left to play for this season. They should secure comfortable progression into the Champions League from here and while they may find some motivation from trying to break into the long established top three, Julen Lopetegui may use this period to experiment to some extent and try a few new things with an eye on next term.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have both won here this season but Sevilla’s overall home record is still very good and Atleti will need to be at their best to claim the points. The international break perhaps came at a good time for them with a series of unconvincing displays and just 3 wins from 7 league games giving their rivals a real opening in this title race.

With injury and suspension issues having largely cleared up, Atleti now just need to focus on rediscovering the formula which delivered 50 points from their opening 19 league games, the same number they managed when they won the title in 2013/14. Yannick Carrasco is their only definite absentee here and Diego Simeone will need to decide whether to go with Renan Lodi or Saul in that left wing-back slot, presuming he continues to go 3-5-2 rather than 4-4-2.

PREDICTION

This promises to be a very competitive game and it’ll be a really good test of the title credentials of Atletico Madrid. It’s hard to see too many goals but both teams have individuals capable of producing a moment of real quality and overall a draw looks the most likely outcome, which would most likely see Atleti’s advantage cut further at the top of LaLiga.

It should be a high scoring game and over 2 goals would be predicted.

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