Atletico Madrid vs. Elche: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info
Atletico Madrid will welcome Elche to the Vicente Calderon on Saturday, as Los Colchoneros return to La Liga following their Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Such circumstances may make this clash hard work for Diego Simeone's men, whose intensity could take a hit amid the disappointment of the damaging loss to their crosstown rivals.
But little time for recovery is available to Atleti, who need to keep winning to fend off a Valencia side that is running them all the way in the race for third place in the Primera Division.
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As such, Simeone could opt for a number of changes to his XI for the visit of Elche and award playing time to those still eager and hungry to impress.
At the back, both Jose Gimenez and Guilherme Siqueira could earn starts, while in midfield, Gabi can be expected to come back in having started Wednesday's clash on the bench.
Up front, meanwhile, Fernando Torres could replace Mario Mandzukic to provide Atletico with greater energy in attack, given that the Croatian has been hampered by an ankle problem in recent weeks.
Elche, meanwhile, come into Saturday's encounter on the back of consecutive victories, the second of which was an important 1-0 win over David Moyes' Real Sociedad on Monday that has given them breathing space from the relegation zone.
Leading Los Franjiverdes once more against La Real was forward Jonathas, whose first-half strike took his season goal tally to 10 and continued his run of earning crucial points for Fran Escriba's side.
But Elche will have to overcome some significant absences on Saturday if they are to take points away from the Vicente Calderon.
Having picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season on Monday, Victor Rodriguez, Aaron Niguez and Mario Pasalic are all suspended for the trip to the Spanish capital. Additionally, Jose Angel will sadly be missing for the visitors after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 5 p.m. BST / 12 p.m. EDT / 6 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
| L: 0-1 vs. Real Madrid | W: 1-0 vs. Real Sociedad |
| W: 2-1 vs. Deportivo La Coruna | W: 2-0 vs. Cordoba |
| D: 0-0 vs. Real Madrid | L: 0-1 vs. Getafe |
| D: 2-2 vs. Malaga | D: 1-1 vs. Espanyol |
| W: 2-0 vs. Real Sociedad | L: 0-4 vs. Valencia |
| W: 2-0 vs. Cordoba | L: 0-3 vs. Sevilla |
Predicted Formations
Players to Watch
Each and every time we've seen Fernando Torres for Atleti since his return, he's been lively. He's consistently pressed opposing defenders, chased down balls, fought for everything in the air and provided a counter-attacking outlet that Mandzukic struggles to replicate.
But there's still been one major element missing: the end product.
In 14 league appearances with Atletico this calendar year, the club icon, for all his admirable work, has just one goal.
With Mandzukic possibly set to be rested for the visit from Elche, Saturday could be another chance to change that.
"26-year old striker Jonathas scored his 10th goal in La Liga this season to secure Elche's 1-0 win over Sociedad. pic.twitter.com/jWtR57E8S0
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) April 20, 2015"
At the other end, it's striker Jonathas who must fire if Elche are any chance of stealing points from Atletico.
The Brazilian, who's enjoying a fine season at the Martinez Valero, is a brilliant, all-round forward capable of causing Atleti's superb defence a few headaches.
Given the visitors will likely sit deep, Jonathas' running power will provide his side with a crucial outlet up the pitch, and on numerous occasions this season we've witnessed how potent he can be on the break.
Tall and accomplished in the air, the striker is also a set-piece threat and will be Elche's primary target in the box at any dead-ball situations.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Atletico Madrid: 1/5
Draw: 11/2
Elche: 12/1
