Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe: Team News, Predicted Lineup, Live Stream & TV Info
Atletico Madrid will welcome Getafe to the Vicente Calderon on Saturday, in what is an important encounter for both sides in La Liga.
For the hosts, it's imperative to get back to winning ways following three consecutive draws in the Primera Division—a run that has seen the defending champions slip behind Valencia and into fourth place in the table.
Suddenly, Diego Simeone's men find themselves in a straight battle for third in Spain, rather than in a three-way tussle for the title with Real Madrid and Barcelona.
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Positively, Los Colchoneros put together their best performance in over a month on Tuesday, recapturing a large portion of their characteristic fire to edge past Bayer Leverkusen and secure progression into the Champions League quarter-finals.
But the midweek triumph did come at a cost. According to the club's official website, Raul Garcia and Mario Mandzukic suffered a fractured forearm and a sprained ankle, respectively, while goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya tore a hamstring.
Inside Spanish Football's Tom Conn also reported that Mario Suarez suffered "pain in his abdomen" and is doubtful for Saturday's clash.
As such, Gabi and Tiago will likely return to the lineup in midfield, Jan Oblak will take the gloves and Fernando Torres will likely partner Antoine Griezmann up front. Additionally, Jose Gimenez will come in for the suspended Miranda.
Getafe, meanwhile, come into Saturday's clash with a yo-yo-like form line, having consistently oscillated between victory and defeat across the club's last six games in La Liga.
But this is a rocky time for Getafe. After former manager Cosmin Contra departed to China in January, his replacement, Quique Sanchez Flores, quit the same job at the club just seven weeks later, leaving Pablo Franco to be the team's third manager in less than a season.
Pleasingly for Franco, previously the B-team coach, his side were able to grab their maiden victory of his tenure quickly, defeating Cordoba, 2-1, at the beginning of last week.
But despite three wins from their last six pushing them to 13th on the table, Getafe sit just four points above the relegation zone and know a string of defeats will likely see them in it.
Thus, taking points away from Atletico—a club they've troubled to a certain extent in recent seasons—will be extremely important.
Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. EDT/4 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid
TV Info: Sky Sports (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.)
Form Lines
| W: 1-0 vs. Bayer Leverkusen | L: 0-1 vs. Real Sociedad |
| D: 0-0 vs. Espanyol | W: 2-1 vs. Cordoba |
| D: 1-1 vs. Valencia | L: 2-3 vs. Malaga |
| D: 0-0 vs. Sevilla | W: 2-1 vs. Espanyol |
| L: 0-1 vs. Bayer Leverkusen | L: 0-1 vs. Valencia |
| W: 3-0 vs. Almeria | W: 2-1 vs. Sevilla |
Predicted Formations
Players to Watch
After Tuesday's dramatic victory on penalties over Bayer Leverkusen, Simeone was eager to praise young goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who replaced the injured Moya in the first half before making a number of crucial saves in the shootout.
It was a performance that's likely to boost the confidence of the Slovenian, who's seen very few opportunities this season after making a high-profile move from Benfica last summer.
Indeed, despite being the most expensive goalkeeper in La Liga history, the 22-year-old is yet make his debut in the Primera Division, with his appearances largely restricted to the Copa del Rey.
With Moya injured, this Saturday is his chance to make an impression in the league.
For Getafe, look out for right-sided attacker Karim Yoda (and not just because he has the best name in European football).
Against Atletico, the Frenchman could start on the right or be used as a second-half substitute for Pedro Leon.
But whichever it is, the 25-year-old could play an important role for the visitors, given that his strong dribbling skills will provide Getafe with an outlet up the pitch, while his ability to cut inside and finish on his left boot gives Franco a potentially dangerous scoring threat on the break.
Key Battle
On the last five occasions these two teams have met, a player has been sent off.
Indeed, Atletico and Getafe have quite a recent history of edgy, physical battles—something that was seen again earlier this season when the clubs met at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in October.
Thus, while it sounds elementary, the ability of these sides to maintain composure and keep all 11 players on the pitch could prove decisive on Saturday.
Who will keep their cool?
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Atletico Madrid: 2/9
Draw: 4/1
Getafe: 39/4
