Leganes vs Atletico Madrid Predictions

2018/19 runners-up Atletico Madrid began the new La Liga campaign in typically workmanlike fashion at home to Getafe last weekend, sneaking a slender 1-0 victory over their city rivals thanks to an excellent header from Alvaro Morata midway through the first half. Diego Simeone’s side take on Madrid based opposition again this week as they travel to Leganes, where they will be looking for their first La Liga win at Butarque after three previous draws.

Atleti’s 1-1 draw here last term was one of several results that ultimately stunted their title challenge, as Los Rojiblancos really should have been good enough to turn over a Lega side that were breached by four other clubs at home en route to finishing 13^th in the table.

But Madrid’s struggles at this venue have become a bit of a trend, as they could only attain 0-0 stalemates at Butarque in the two previous campaigns. Atleti simply have to claim maximum points from fixtures like this if they are to mount a serious push for the championship and close the nine point gap which Barcelona held over them in 2018/19.

A hard fought success over Getafe was a decent enough start for Simeone’s side on match day one considering the high profile changes in personnel over the summer, and the likes of Joao Felix and Kieran Trippier certainly made promising starts to life at Wanda Metropolitano.

Simeone was visibly delighted at the full time when the points were secured, with the only real negative being the first half dismissal of new full-back Renan Lodi for two bookable offences.  The result will count for little though if Los Rojiblancos are unable to follow up here on Sunday, especially after Lega were turned over by newly promoted Osasuna on match day one.

Los Pepineros took the game to the Segunda champions but couldn’t find a way through goalkeeper Ruben, and they paid the price 15 minutes from time as Chimy Avila drilled a rasping drive past Pichu Cuellar. Oscar Rodriguez saw red for Mauricio Pellegrino’s men in stoppage time to add insult to injury and the result leaves Leganes on the back foot as they prepare to host their more illustrious city rivals.

Atleti have to buck their trend at Butarque at some point and they could well land the spoils this Sunday, albeit narrowly with a tight, low scoring encounter anticipated.

A more solid wager though looks to be backing the hosts to draw a blank (or Atleti to keep a clean sheet depending on market differentiation between bookmakers) as Lega have only scored once in six previous clashes against Atleti, whilst Los Rojiblancos’ match day one success over Getafe marked their sixth clean sheet in 11 La Liga fixtures.