Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla preview

September 26, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Atletico Madrid vs SevillaThird-placed Atletico Madrid will have to show some improvement if they want to defeat high-flying Sevilla, a team that are tied on points with leaders Barcelona at the moment.

Having won their last four La Liga fixtures, los Rojiblancos need at least one point from Vicente Calderon to secure their best ever start to a league campaign.

With the squad undergoing major changes in the summer and a number of players missing some pre-season training after taking part at the 2014 World Cup, Atletico boss Diego Simeone was always going to have a difficult task in the opening exchanges.

And while los Colchoneros were beaten by Olympiakos in their opening Champions League fixture, they have done pretty well in other competitions so far, even if it is perfectly clear the team are still far from the desired form.

Atletico may be unbeaten in the league, but they have yet to record a win by two goals or more this season, but their fighting spirit still keeps them in a good stead.

Following a hard-fought win over Almeria in midweek, los Colchoneros are 1.73 (8/11) to stop Sevilla in their tracks on Saturday evening.

With a view to the Champions League clash against Juventus, Simeone could make some changes to the starting line-up, with Mario Mandzukic likely to be in contention.

Gabi, Saul, Jesus Gamez and Raul Jimenez could come in to the starting line-up in case the boss decides to rest some of his star players.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Moya – Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Ansaldi – Saul, Tiago, Gabi, Koke – Mandzukic, Jimenez.

Sevilla produced quite a surprise by finishing the previous league campaign just behind Champions League positions, but it appears they could even make that extra step this term.

Buoyed by some very good summer signings, los Rojiblancos have enjoyed a stunning start to the new season, winning five straight matches in all competitions following the 1-1 draw with Valencia.

Sevilla began the title defence in Europa League with a comfortable win over Feyenoord, while league wins over Espanyol, Getafe, Cordoba and Real Sociedad saw them climb to second in the standings.

And with the players full of confidence ahead of the clash with holders Atletico Madrid, there may be some value in odds of 5.50 (9/2) offered on away win.

Goalkeeper Beto has returned into action against Real Sociedad, but Mariano Barbosa, Kevin Gameiro and Sebastian Cristoforo are out injured.

Despite scoring the winner in midweek, Gerard Deulofeu could be left on the bench, while Aleix Vidal, Denis Suarez, Daniel Carrico and Coke should return to the side.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Beto – Coke, Pareja, Carrico, M’Bia, Krychowiak – Vidal, Banega, Suarez – Bacca.

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