Leganes VS Atletico Madrid Match Prediction
- 2016-08-27
- 20:15:00
Atletico Madrid will win this match.
Leganes won the last meeting between the sides 1-0, but that 2015 match was a club friendly so not too much can be read from the result. However, Leganes were also the victors in their last competitive match against Atletico Madrid, winning 2-0 in a Segunda Division clash. Atletico Madrid have won on their last two visits to Leganes for league games, however.
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Atletico Madrid's slow start to the season is unlikely to last for long, but they cannot afford to be dropping points if they want to contest the league title race with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Simeone will be tempted to bring back Griezmann for this match, but if he again leaves the France international out of the squad there is a chance Atletico's lack of goal threat costs them the points here. Leganes have plenty of momentum after their promotion and last week's win and they are a threat that should not be underestimated by either Simeone or his players here.
Atletico Madrid remain the favourites despite their draw last weekend and they can be backed at a price of 4/6 to get their first league win of the season, with hosts Leganes at 6/1 and the draw at 5/2. With Atletico yet to get up to full speed, Leganes double chance is worth considering at a price of 10/7, as is Leganes draw no bet at 4/1.
As there have been under 2.5 goals scored in five of Atletico Madrid's last six games, it is worth taking this bet on at 11/18, despite the relatively low price on offer from the bookmakers.
Leganes are expected to be unchanged apart from one forced switch for this match after getting their season off to a fantastic start with a 1-0 defeat of Celta Vigo last weekend, a result that raised eyebrows throughout the league. Leganes were expected to battle against relegation but if they can match those performance levels they could well finish in a safe mid-table position this season. Timor is out through suspension after his late red card last weekend, however.
Goalkeeper:- Serantes
Defenders:- Diaz, Bustinza, Mantovani, Rico, Marin
Midfielders:- Alberto, Gabriel, Machis
Forwards:- Guerrero
Manu Garcia's goal deep into injury-time denied Atletico Madrid a win on the opening weekend of the La Liga season, but Diego Simeone's side had needed to wait until the dying moments to take the lead through Kevin Gameiro's penalty, so it is hard to argue they deserved all three points.
Nico Gaitan could come into the team for his first start for the club, while Fernando Torres might also be given a chance to impress up front. Antoine Griezmann was not in the squad last week but may return after being given time off following Euro 2016.
Goalkeeper:- Oblak
Defenders:- Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Luis
Midfielders:- Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Saul
Forwards:- Torres, Gameiro