Atletico Madrid vs. Deportivo: How Atleti Should Line Up in La Liga Game
It was vital that the defending champions returned to winning ways, after they were surprisingly defeated by Real Sociedad in La Liga before the international break.
Atletico reacted in positive fashion last weekend, as they beat Malaga 3-1.
They sit just four points behind leaders Real Madrid and a win over Deportivo at the Vicente Calderon will be expected by the local supporters.
Los Rojiblancos lost to Olympiakos in Greece on the opening matchday of the Champions League, but they had no such problems on Wednesday evening in the reverse fixture.
They looked comfortable throughout and the 4-0 scoreline wasn't flattering in the slightest.
Diego Simeone has largely trusted a small group of players in recent weeks and now with Champions League qualification assured there will be a chance to rotate more in the near future.
They also play CE L'Hospitalet in the Copa del Rey next week and that will be a further opportunity to give fringe players extra minutes on the pitch.
In the league, though, Simeone should play his strongest available team.
Here is how Atletico should line up against Deportivo:
Goalkeeper: Miguel Angel Moya
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Miguel Angel Moya has surprised many with his level of performance this season and is proving a more than adequate replacement for Thibaut Courtois.
The goalkeeper was rarely troubled in midweek, but he has conceded a few in recent games.
It was only his second clean sheet in the last five matches, although he will be hoping to extend this statistic against a side in the bottom three.
Youngster Jan Oblak will have hoped to have had more game time since his move to Spain, and he may be loaned out in January.
Defenders: Juanfran, Jose Gimenez, Diego Godin and Cristian Ansaldi
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Right-back Juanfran has his critics when faced with the very best attackers due to a perceived poor defensive ability.
However, his attacking instinct is a valuable commodity as he overlaps his wide player and provides threatening crosses, via FourFourTwo Stats Zone.
With Miranda injured, the Uruguayan centre-back partnership should continue, with Diego Godin alongside the youthful Jose Gimenez.
Cristian Ansaldi has started the last two matches for Atleti, although the left-back slot is one area that Simeone has changed regularly.
The Argentine is on-loan from Zenit Saint Petersburg and has looked more accomplished than Guilherme Siqueira in the role.
He scored his first goal for his national side against Croatia last week, while his ball was turned into the net by Mario Mandzukic for his first of three against the Greeks.
Midfielders: Gabi, Koke, Arda Turan and Antoine Griezmann
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Tiago has been superb in the big matches this season, as noted here, but the 33-year-old may struggle with three matches in eight days.
Mario Suarez would normally return to the side, but the team has conceded four goals in his last two league appearances.
That's not to place any blame on the defensive midfielder, nevertheless it would be good to see Koke in a more withdrawn role once more.
Simeone has many options in the attacking third and Koke can create from deep when faced with a rigid defensive structure.
Antoine Griezmann was left out of the starting 11 against Olympiakos and should be restored after three goals in his last two La Liga starts.
It's two assists in two matches for Arda Turan and the Turkish international will probably occupy the other wing to Griezmann.
Forwards: Raul Garcia and Mario Mandzukic
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Raul Garcia doesn't look particularly comfortable as a striker and struggles with his back to goal.
He's much more suited to playing in the hole, where he can make late runs into the box and link with the other midfielders.
Former Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic has really adjusted to Simeone's demands in the previous few games.
His hat-trick against Olympiakos took him to seven goals in his last seven matches in all competitions.
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