Atlético Madrid could end the round in LaLiga’s top four if the Rojiblancos defeat winless Celta Vigo at Estadio Abanca Balaídos in the 9 p.m. kickoff on Sunday night.
Atlético (3-3-1, 12 points) are hoping to build on the momentum of three consecutive victories in Madrid, where the Rojiblancos ripped five goals past Real Madrid last weekend before scoring five more against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League. Atlético are still in search of a maiden away win in 2025/26; despite holding second-half leads against Espanyol and Mallorca, defensive and strategic miscues saw Atleti take just one point from those two games, and the team surrendered a first-half lead in a 1-1 draw at Alavés at the end of August before suffering a 3-2 loss at Liverpool to open the Champions League campaign.
Celta (0-5-2, 5 points) sit in the relegation zone entering this fixture, but Claudio Giráldez’s men are hoping a midweek home win over PAOK in the UEFA Europa League will help them get back on track. One of LaLiga’s cult heroes in Iago Aspas is still here and going strong at 38 years old, and Celta have a young gem of a midfielder in Hugo Sotelo. In defense, Óscar Mingueza has morphed into one of the division’s best full-backs.
While there have been some close calls over the years, Atlético overall have a terrific record at Balaídos under Diego Simeone. In LaLiga, Atleti have won 10, drawn one, and lost two at Celta’s ground under Simeone’s stewardship; last season, it was Julián Alvarez who scored a 90th-minute winner to secure a 1-0 victory.
Atlético are (nearly) injury-free! The Colchoneros should be at full health following the upcoming FIFA break, which begins Monday; however, the players who stay behind over the break will be playing a friendly match against Inter Milan at the Benghazi International Stadium in Libya next Friday.
“This game will allow the players not selected for their national teams to maintain their rhythm and continue with their preparation for the next competitive games,” Atleti’s statement read. On a completely unrelated note (/s), Rubén Uría reported on Friday that the club will receive a lot of cash for participating in what they are calling the “Reconstruction Cup.” Neat.
As for Sunday’s game, three of the four Atleti players called up for Spain duty are set to start against Celta; Álex Baena’s slow re-integration is poised to continue, though he will receive minutes at Balaídos. Alexander Sørloth missed the Frankfurt tilt after he sustained a knock during the Madrid Derby, but he is expected to play at Celta.
Thiago Almada and Josema Giménez (calf injuries both) are getting close to returning, but neither will make the trip to Galicia. Lionel Scaloni called up Almada for Argentina duty, but it was announced Saturday that the midfielder will stay in Madrid over the break to finish his recovery. Johnny Cardoso remains unavailable with an ankle injury.
Dávid Hancko should return to the lineup after Cholo Simeone was able to rest him in midweek, while Koke is slated to start again in what would be his 693rd first-team appearance. Alvarez, named the side’s player of the month for September, will lead the line; his six goals rank second behind Kylian Mbappé in the early-season Pichichi race.
Predicted XI: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko; Barrios, Koke, Giuliano, Nico; Griezmann, Alvarez.
