Espanyol and Atlético Madrid meet at RCDE Stadium, in a match for the 36 th round of the First Division. In the last direct confrontation for this edition of the league, on 22-12-2018, Atlético Madrid won at home (1-0). In this stadium, the history of direct confrontations is favorable to the visiting team, which records 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in the last 4 matches. However, the last time these two teams played a match at this stadium was on 22-12-2017, for the First Division, which ended with the victory of Espanyol by (1-0). The only goal of the match was scored by Sergio García (88 ‘). In this match the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results obtained at home and as a visitor.
Espanyol:
The home team is currently in the 10 th position of the league, with 44 points won, after 11 wins, 11 draws and 13 losses. In the penultimate match, they tied in a home match against Celta de Vigo, by (1-1). In the last match, they tied in an away match against Real Betis, by (1-1). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 1 win, 7 draws and 7 losses in away matches; against 6 victories, 4 draws and 5 defeats in his stadium. In their last 10 home matches for the championship Espanyol won 4, drew 3 and lost 3, for which they won 15 points out of 30 possible. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in all of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 35 matches in this competition, they only got 1 comeback in the 13 games in which they suffered the first goal.
Espanyol enter this game after a foreign draw, a ball, in the displacement to Betis. The Spanish Iglesias is responsible for putting the adversary’s defenses into meaning, with the highest quality being the finalization. The greatest valence of the locals are the counterattacks, because it has fast and strong players in the hand to hand. The local coach will not be able to count on Naldo, Pérez, Rosales, Piatti and David López, for being injured.
Atlético Madrid:
After 22 wins, 8 draws and 5 losses, the away team is currently in the 2 nd position, with 74 points won. In the penultimate match, they won in a home match against Valencia, by (3-2). In the last match, they won in a home match against Real Valladolid, by (1-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 18 goals scored and 14 conceded; against 13 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss at their stadium, with 30 goals scored and 8 conceded. In the last away game for this competition won by (0-1) against Eibar. In the last 10 away matches Atlético Madrid has a record of 6 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses, so they have won 19 points out of 30 possible. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 0-0 (9 out of 17 matches). The defense has been strong and has suffered goals in 3 of the last 10 matches, and their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In their home matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 14 of the last 17 matches for this competition have ended with Under 2,5 goals. In 35 matches in this tournament, they suffered the first goal 9 times and only managed 1 comeback.
Atlético Madrid entered this day motivated, after a home win, 1-0, at the reception to Valladolid: Joaquin, at minute 66 ‘, introduced the ball into the own goal. The greater valence of the visitors resides in the capacity that they demonstrate to lead their offensive plays through fast transitions. The Frenchman Griezmann is responsible for making sense of the opponent’s defensive, the highest quality being the ability to take advantage of spaces. The foreign technician will not be able to count on Borja Garcés, Hernández and Giménez, for being injured. It should be noted that Diego Costa will also be absent, because he is suspended.
