Atletico Madrid vs Celta Vigo Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Atletico Madrid:
Oblak; Savic, Gimenez, Felipe; Vrsaljko, Llorente, Koke, Lemar, Saul; Correa, Luis Suarez
Celta Vigo:
Blanco; Mallo, Araujo, Murillo, Martin; Tapia; Mendez, Denis Suarez, Nolito; Mina, Aspas
Atletico Madrid will be looking to continue their winning series when they welcome Celta Vigo to the Spanish capital on Monday night. The Rojiblancos have 50 points and sit on the top of the table with a 10-point advantage to the second-placed Barcelona and with a game in hand. Coach Diego Simeone is enjoying the moment, as well as the fans. The actual leaders are in series of eight victories in La Liga. Atletico managed to beat Elche, Real Sociedad, Getafe, Alaves, Sevilla, Eibar, Valencia and Cadiz. The last match have produced six goals. Cadiz already made few shocking victories this season, they beat Real Madrid and Barcelona. Luis Suarez fired in two goals to help his new team to celebrate with 4:2. The Uruguayan veteran gave Atletico the lead in the 28th minute with a curling free kick which was cancelled out by Cadiz forward Alvaro Negredo seven minutes later. Saul Niguez restored the advantage for the guests in the finish of the first half. Cadiz had a strong penalty claim turned down when Koke blocked the ball with his hand while on the ground. The guests got a spot kick just after the break which Suarez converted for his 14th goal of the season. Negredo reduced the deficit to one goal with a scrappy strike in the 71st minute and then missed a big opportunity through Ivan Saponjic, but goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved his goal. Captain Koke then scored his first goal of the season in the 88th minute to secure the 4:2 win. Coach Simeone has some important players sidelined for this match - Joao Felix, Moussa Dembele, Mario Hermoso and Yannick Carrasco have recently been tested positive for coronavirus, while Kieran Trippier is still suspended.
Celta Vigo are currently on the 10th position, big 10 points off the European spots. But at the same time they are just six away from the drop zone. It is clear the next period is cruicial for their ambitions. At the moment, they are in poor form collecting just two points from the possible 15. The Galicians have no win on the last five matches in Primera Division. Celta started 2021 with three straight defeats. They lost 2:0 from Real Madrid, 4:0 from Villarreal and 2:1 from Betis. The atmosphere in the squads was bad following the mentioned defeats, so the draws in the last two rounds look like good results. Celta played an 1:1 draw with Eibar at home, while in the last round shared the points with Granada playing a goalless draw. The away form is nothing special, Los Celestes have just one victory in the 11 away league matches this season. Considering the fact that Atletico Madrid have the best home record in La Liga, it will be extremely hard for Celta in this match. Coach Eduardo Coudet will be without Sergio Alvarez and David Junca through injuries, but otherwise has no problems with the players. Majority of the players that started against Granada should keep the place, with key players Brais Mendez, Nolito, Iago Aspas and Santi Mina all ready. Some changes are possible, particularly in the midfield. Denis Suarez is expected to replace Fran Beltran.
Atletico Madrid vs Celta Vigo Prediction:
Atletico Madrid play an incredible season. Diego Simeone's men have collected 50 points after the first part of the season. If they can replicate their form in the second half of the season, Atletico will become the first Spanish side to end a campaign with 100 points since Barcelona in 2013. I believe they will win this match. They are hosts and they are in great form. In addition, Atletico have a player able to make a difference - Luis Suarez has scored five goals in his last three appearances and his confidence is very high.
Atletico Madrid vs Celta Vigo Pick: Home win @ 1.68 with
1xBet