Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips: Latest odds, team news, preview and predictions

Atletico Madrid travel to the RCDE Stadium on Saturday to face Espanyol, with Los Rojiblancos needing a point from their final three games to guarantee they finish above Real Madrid.

There is disappointment about how Diego Simeone's side exited both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey this season, but to finish above their arch-rivals in La Liga for a second successive season would be a great achievement.

Espanyol have little but pride to play for, with the side safe from relegation and all but mathematically out of the race for Europe. 

Latest odds

Espanyol have been something of a bogey team for Atletico in recent years, with the Catalans beating the Madrid side both home and away last season.

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Simeone's men have won just two of their last five games against Los Pericos, and William Hill price them at 23/20 (2.15). Espanyol are offered at 27/10 (3.70) to record their 10th home league win this term, with the draw at 11/5 (3.20).

Team news

The visitors are without the suspended Diego Costa, while at centre-back they have some problems.

Stefan Savic is a doubt with a muscle problem and with Lucas Hernandez, Jose Maria Gimenez and Nahuel Perez all unavailable, Simeone may have to play a midfielder in the heart of defence. Saul Niguez and Thomas Partey are both options.

Espanyol could welcome back defenders Roberto Rosales and Naldo, although winger Pablo Piatti remains sidelined.

Preview

This fixture has a habit of being a tight affair and earlier this season Atletico needed a second half penalty to beat their opponents from Barcelona 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano.

A similarly even game could well be on the cards this weekend, and both managers will be keen to see a committed display despite there being little but pride at stake.

Atletico have conceded just 14 goals in 17 away games - by far the best defensive record in the division - and despite some absentees, they should be able to keep things tight once more in Catalonia.

Tips and predictions

Opposing both teams to score has paid out in an incredible 12 of the last 13 meetings between these two sides and is offered at 8/11 (1.73) here.

Backing Atletico to keep their 21st clean sheet of the season at 7/5 (2.40) also looks extremely tempting, while under 0.5 goals in the first half at 11/8 (2.37) is another strong option.

Both teams to score 'no' at 8/11 (1.73) for a 3pt stake with William Hill William Hill