Atletico Madrid vs Leganes

La Liga title hopefuls Atletico Madrid entertain newcomers Leganes in a must-win clash at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico Madrid threw away a first-minute lead against Real Sociedad last time out, posting a second successive 1-1 draw in La Liga after sharing the spoils with arch-rivals Real Madrid. Despite back-to-back winless outings, Diego Simeone’s charges enter October’s international break as one of only two La Liga sides yet to lose a league fixture this season (W4, D5). However, they still commence this round seven points adrift of early pacesetters Barcelona. Therefore, victory against newly promoted Leganes is imperative for Los Rojiblancos, who have alternated between victories (2) and draws (2) in their first four home league matches. Another unbeaten contest is well on the cards, considering they’ve won three of their last four home league encounters against this opposition (D1) without conceding.

With three of those four meetings featuring under 2.5 goals, it stands to reason fans in attendance could witness a low-scoring contest. Low scoring has been a common theme for Leganes this season, as eight of their nine league matches have produced two goals or fewer. Borja Jimenez’s misfiring squad laments the division’s worst scoring record of only five goals, averaging just 0.55 per game. Despite their notorious scoring problems, the visitors head into proceedings fractionally outside the bottom three after drawing their last three La Liga fixtures. Interestingly, four of their five away league outings this season have ended level (L1), suggesting they will not go down without a fight despite the odds.