Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Spanish La Liga match
On Sunday against Girona, Atlético Madrid showcased the full attacking prowess of their revamped forward line (3:0). It’s evident that against newly promoted Espanyol, they will be strong up front again: expect sweeping attacks with plenty of shots.
Atlético Madrid
At the start of the La Liga season, Atlético Madrid is demonstrating impressive efficiency: with 2.56 xG, they have scored 5 goals (the best difference in the tournament). Even without the injured Thomas Lemar and Marcos Paulo, who could have bolstered the Madrid club on the wings, the team remains highly versatile. Against Girona, both Antoine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente managed 1+1 each, and now the team is anticipating debut contributions from their star newcomer, Julián Álvarez.
Espanyol
Espanyol navigated their La Liga playoff against Oviedo (2:1 on aggregate) beautifully, but they seemed unable to recover and prepare adequately for the new season during the two-month break. Against Valladolid and Real Sociedad (both 0:1), they looked lacklustre up front, failing to score with 2.31 xG. Manolo Gonzalez is relying on the forward duo Javi Puado and Gastón Valles, who are yet to find their form.
Atlético Madrid - Espanyol Prediction
The last time Atlético Madrid lost to Espanyol was in May 2019 (since then, three wins and three draws). The Madrid side will overwhelm their Catalan opponent with their attacking might, and the home crowd will add extra motivation for the hosts.
