Atletico Madrid vs Girona

Metropolitano Stadium forms the backdrop as Atletico Madrid and Girona meet in only their fifth La Liga encounter.

Atletico Madrid suffered a shocking 2-0 defeat at Club Brugge in midweek Champions League action, throwing their hopes of reaching the competition’s knockouts into doubt (W1, L2). Back to domestic proceedings, ‘Los Rojiblancos’ will draw confidence from beating Sevilla 2-0 last weekend, making it two wins in three La Liga outings (L1). Girona’s impending visit to the Spanish capital will reinforce Atletico’s bid to register back-to-back league triumphs for the first time this season, as they’ve been unbeaten in all four previous top-flight H2Hs (W1, D3). However, there are plenty of concerns for Diego Simeone, whose men have already lost two La Liga matches at the Metropolitano Stadium this season (W1), only one defeat fewer than their all-time season-high under the Argentine (3). Moreover, Atletico’s poor 16.7% win ratio against Girona across all competitions (W1, D5) could dampen the hosts’ spirits.

In the meantime, Girona found themselves ahead twice in last weekend’s topsy-turvy home encounter against Real Sociedad but eventually ended on the wrong side of a 5-3 scoreline! Having won just once in five La Liga outings (D1, L3), the visitors enter this round just three points clear of the relegation zone. On top of that, ‘Los Blanquivermells’ have won none of their last eight La Liga games on the road, losing seven of them (D1), meaning they’re enduring their worst-ever winless top-flight streak away from home. Head coach Michel will urge his side to show more composure after conceding equalisers in each of their last three La Liga fixtures (W1, L2). But after scoring under 1.5 goals in all three away league games this term, it’s questionable whether they can find the net in Madrid.