Getafe vs Atletico Madrid
Los Blancos are coming, and don’t the Atleti fans know it! Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have been the only side to challenge Barca at the top of La Liga this year, but now they may even lose out on second.
The wheels fell off Atletico’s league title ambitions three weeks ago with a disappointing home draw to Real Betis. Now, they visit Getafe this weekend, and football betting sites agree they have a really tough task.
The Europa-chasing hosts are in fine form and, indeed, our own handicap betting odds back a home win. This is not ideal preparation for Atleti’s Europa final clash with Olympique Marseille next week, that’s for sure. And losing second place to Real Madrid would be a disaster!
Talking Points
Well, for a start, Atletico wants La Liga rivals Barcelona to stop talking about their prize asset, Antoine Griezmann.
The French striker has constantly been linked with a move away. Last summer it was Manchester United and now it’s the Catalans. Diego Simeone is keen to avoid any distractions in the run-up to the season climax and Europa League Final, but chief executive Miguel Marin is becoming mightily irritated, saying: “We’re fed up with Barcelona’s attitude, just a few days before contesting a European final is an absolute lack of respect towards Atletico Madrid and its fans.” Ouch!
Griezmann is so important to his team’s attacking chances, scoring 19 league goals this season, 11 more than the second contributor, Angel Correa. But will Simeone be tempted to rest Griezmann in the run-up to the Europa Final? That is a priority for Simeone and his men, but they would be gutted to give up second place in La Liga to Los Blancos who are just three points behind.
Four wins and a draw in their last five league matches have kept alive Getafe’s Europa qualification hopes and, particularly if they don’t have to face Griezmann, I’d give them every chance. Angel Rodriguez notched his 13th goal of the season in last week’s win against Las Palmas; and coach Pepe Bordalas has assembled a team, not only comfortable in the Primera Division but also ready to compete at the right end.
Stout defence has been at the heart of Getafe’s success with goalkeeper Vicente Guaita having an outstanding season. It could well be a case of who has the guile to breach which defence, as Atleti keeper Jan Oblak isn’t in the habit of picking the ball out of the net either.
History
Promoted via the playoffs last season, this has been a brilliant first campaign back in the top flight for Getafe. Winning 14, drawing 10 and losing 12 is a record anyone outside the top six would be proud of, and with another couple of results, it could be enough for a cracking climax.
History isn’t in the hosts’ favour though, having won just four in 30 attempts against Atletico—all while losing 18 and drawing eight. Recent history is even more depressing for Bordalas’ men, having lost four from five without scoring a single goal. Three of those defeats were by a 2-0 margin, the last being the return fixture at the Wanda Metropolitano in January when Correa and Diego Costa were on target.
What are the Odds?
Fortunately, we are dealing in the present and the football odds suggest this could be Getafe’s time, particularly if Simeone rests key players.
Our handicap betting offer at SBOBET pitches the hosts at 2.25, with the Madrid giants at 3.30 and the draw at 3.10.
Getafe’s defence has been superb, conceding just 32 goals—quite an achievement in a league boasting Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Griezmann. But Atletico are the real defensive deal, with its miserly back-line letting in only 20.
No surprise then that Under 2.00 goals is at 1.87, while Over pays 2.03. Over or Under 0.75 in the first half is at 1.95.
The most likely score-line at 5.60 is a 1-0 home win. But if you fancy Atletico to bag yet another 0-2 victory against Getafe, you can get 18.50.
With other priorities that makes sense but then, with Los Blancos breathing down their necks, I won’t rule it out.
Other notable match-ups
WEEK 37
Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo (May 13, 02:45 GMT+8)
Of course, Zinedine Zidane’s Real have one eye on the Champions League final, but how they’d love to spoil Atletico’s party! Defeat to Sevilla stopped them in their tracks, but Celta are already on the beach and without a win in five.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Villarreal (May 13, 00:30 GMT+8)
Depor are down, but the Yellow Submarine are one of the teams in Getafe’s sights. They currently hold sixth place after three consecutive wins but were spanked 5-1 by Barcelona in midweek. Will they recover by Sunday?
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
