Having smashed Real Betis in the Copa del Rey, Atletico Madrid will be looking for a similar performance when they resume their La Liga campaign against the same opposition.

Atletico Madrid dropped points in their last league outing, so they will be eager to secure all three when they host fifth-placed Real Betis, who have been a touch inconsistent in recent weeks.

The two teams recently squared up against each other in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. Atletico dominated the proceedings and secured a comfortable 5-0 win. Now they will square up against Barcelona in the semi-final.

The home team are 3rd on the table with 45 points in their 22 outings. They are ten points behind the leaders, Barcelona, and not really a part of the title race at this stage. Atletico have only won two out of their last five matches across competitions.

They could only manage a 0-0 draw against Levante in their last league outing and are heading into this one on the back of a smashing 5-0 win over Betis. Simeone’s men will be very confident about their chances.

Meanwhile, the visitors are fifth on the table with 35 points in their 22 outings. They are 10 points behind 3rd-placed Atletico Madrid and will have to up their game to have a chance of finishing inside the top four.

Betis secured a 2-1 win over Valencia in their last league outing, but they are heading into this fixture on the back of a thrashing at the hands of Atletico. While Simeone’s men will be confident about securing another dominant win, Betis will be eager to avenge that loss in the Copa del Rey. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Atletico Madrid

Atletico remain without the services of Pablo Barrios (muscle) for this fixture, while Johnny Cardoso and Alexander Sorloth (head) will both undergo a late fitness test to determine their availability.

Ademola Lookman is expected to make his La Liga debut here, after doing wonders against Betis in the cup.

Atletico Madrid will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Jan Oblak will feature in goal. Marc Pubill and Matteo Ruggeri will take charge as the full-backs, while David Hancko will partner with Jose Gimenez in the heart of the defence.

In the centre of the park, Koke will partner with Marcos Llorente. The duo will shield the backline and look to control the tempo of the game.

Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman will feature out wide on the flanks, while Thiago Almada will take up the number ten role behind star striker Julian Alvarez.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Oblak; Pubill, Hancko, Gimenez, Ruggeri; Koke, Llorente; Simeone, Baena, Lookman; Alvarez

Real Betis

The visitors will be without the services of Sofyan Amrabat (foot), Giovani Lo Celso (undisclosed), and Isco (thigh). Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin and Cucho Hernandez will undergo a late fitness test to determine their availability.

Betis will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Alvaro Valles will take charge in between the sticks. Angel Ortiz and Ricardo Rodriguez will feature as the full-backs, while Natan will pair up with Marc Bartra in the heart of the defence.

In the centre of the park, Marc Roca will start alongside Sergi Altimira. The duo will form the double pivot; they will look to shield the backline and ensure Barcelona midfielders do not run the show.

Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli will feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Pablo Fornals will feature as the attacking midfielder, while Ezequiel Avila will be leading the line.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Valles; Ortiz, Bartra, Natan, Rodriguez; Altimira, Roca; Antony, Fornals, Ezzalzouli; Avila

Key Stats

• Atletico have won 30 out of the last 49 matches against Real Betis, who have come out on top on eight occasions.
• After two straight wins, Real Betis are heading into this fixture on the back of a disappointing 5-0 defeat.
• Both Atletico and Real Betis have won only two out of their last five matches across competitions.
• Betis last secured a win over Atletico Madrid back in 2024.
• The Madrid-based outfit secured a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Player to Watch

Ademola Lookman

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Lookman will be the player to watch when Atletico Madrid take on Real Betis, following his sensational debut against the same opposition in the Copa del Rey. The 28-year-old winger made an immediate impact after completing a deadline-day move in the winter window, marking his first appearance for Diego Simeone’s side with a goal and an assist in a dominant 5-0 win.

Having already shown how quickly he can adapt to Atletico’s setup, Lookman will now be eager to replicate that performance in the league. Operating in advanced areas, his ability to stretch defences and make decisive contributions in the final third adds a new dimension to Simeone’s attack.

Prediction

Atletico Madrid 3-0 Real Betis

Atletico will head into this fixture as clear favourites, especially after the manner in which they dismantled Real Betis in the Copa del Rey. Simeone’s side were ruthless in transition and defensively solid, and playing at home should further tilt the balance in their favour.

Real Betis, on the other hand, will be desperate to show a response after the 5-0 humiliation, but their recent inconsistency and injury concerns could once again hold them back. While they may look to keep things tight early on, Atletico’s intensity and depth should eventually prove decisive. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Diego Simeone’s team.