Real Oviedo vs Atletico – News and Probable Lineups

Atletico Madrid is looking to secure their third consecutive victory across all competitions as they take on last-placed Real Oviedo on Saturday night.

Currently, Diego Simeone’s team sits in fourth place in the La Liga standings, just three points behind Villarreal in third, while Oviedo finds itself at the bottom, trailing 17th-placed Elche by eight points.

Match overview

Real Oviedo heads into this fixture following an exhilarating 3-3 draw with Real Sociedad; they were actually leading 2-1 late in the game before conceding two quick goals to fall behind 3-2, but Eric Bailly managed to equalize for the visitors at the death.

Guillermo Almada’s squad holds a record of three wins, eight draws, and 13 losses from their 24 league matches this season, leaving them with only 17 points at the bottom of the table.

The Blues are eight points away from 17th-placed Elche, and their struggles in front of goal have been a significant issue this season, scoring only 16 times in 24 matches, although their most recent three-goal performance should have boosted their confidence.

Oviedo possesses the second-worst home record in Spain’s top flight this season, accumulating just 11 points from 12 games, but Atletico has also only recorded three victories in their 12 away league matches this term.

Earlier in the season, Oviedo was defeated 2-0 by Atletico, and they have not managed to overcome the Madrid side since October 1998.

Atletico has triumphed in their last three encounters against Oviedo, including a 2-0 victory during their last trip to face them in January 2023 in the Copa del Rey.

The Red and Whites have not faced Oviedo in league play away from home since a Segunda Division match in May 2002, where Atletico emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline.

Simeone’s squad comes into this fixture on the heels of a 4-1 victory over Club Brugge in the second leg of their knockout round playoff on Tuesday night, which secured them a 7-4 aggregate win.

Atletico also defeated Espanyol 4-2 in La Liga in their most recent outing, keeping them in fourth in the standings, three points shy of Villarreal in third.

Meanwhile, the Red and Whites are six points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis, and securing a top-four finish is the bare minimum the club aims for this season.

Real Oviedo La Liga form:

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Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

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Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):

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Team News

Oviedo will be without David Costas due to injury, while Eric Bailly and Ovie Ejaria are both significant doubts for the encounter against Atletico.

Santiago Colombatto missed the last match due to suspension but is expected to return to the starting XI for this fixture.

Federico Vinas is also likely to feature in the attack, having scored a brace in his last outing against Real Sociedad.

For Atletico, Rodrigo Mendoza returns from suspension, but Nico Gonzalez and Pablo Barrios remain doubtful.

Alexander Sorloth found the net three times in the 4-1 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League and is anticipated to be joined in attack by Julian Alvarez.

Ademola Lookman is expected to re-enter the lineup in a wide position, while Nahuel Molina may start at right-back, potentially pushing Marcos Llorente into midfield.

Real Oviedo probable starting XI:

Escandell; Vidal, Carmo, Calvo, Lopez; Colombatto, Sibo; Hassan, Reina, Chaira; Vinas

Atletico Madrid probable starting XI:

Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman; Sorloth, Alvarez

Atletico has faced challenges securing wins on the road this season, and Oviedo has shown signs of recent improvement, making a draw a plausible outcome here. However, we believe Atletico will find a way to earn all three points on Saturday.