Atletico Madrid will look to return to winning ways in La Liga when they hit the road to face relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

Having secured a dominating win over Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final, Atletico Madrid will be looking to build on that result against Rayo Vallecano, who will be hoping to bring an end to their three-match losing streak this weekend.

The home team are 18th on the points table with 22 points in as many outings. While they have only won five games so far, Rayo Vallecano are only a point off safety and have a game in hand on the teams above them. A win here could do wonders for them in the relegation battle.

Los Franjirrojos are heading into this fixture on the back of three straight defeats. Since securing a win over Mallorca, they have lost to Celta Vigo, Osasuna and Real Madrid. They were supposed to play Real Oviedo last week, but the game was called off because of a waterlogged pitch. Rayo have had enough rest heading into this fixture, and it could actually help their cause against one of the giants of Spanish football.

Meanwhile, the visitors are third on the table with 45 points in their 23 outings. Atletico Madrid were expected to challenge for the league title, but they have not been consistent enough. Diego Simeone’s men are 13 points behind leaders Barcelona, but what is more important is that they have a seven-point cushion over the team in fifth.

Atletico Madrid have only won two out of their last five league games. Los Rojiblancos suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Real Betis in their last league outing, but they are heading into this fixture on the back of an emphatic 4-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

So, Diego Simeone’s men will be very high on confidence heading into this one. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Rayo Vallecano

The visitors will be without the services of Abdul Mumin (knee), Pep Chavarria (suspended), and Pathe Ciss (suspended). Meanwhile, Unai Lopez and Diego Mendez will undergo a late fitness test to determine their availability.

The home team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Augusto Batalla will feature in goal. Andrei Ratiu and Luiz Felipe are expected to be the full-backs, while Florian Lejeune will partner with Nobel Mendy in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Oscar Valentin and Gerard Gumbau will form the double pivot in the middle of the pitch. They will look to shield the backline and ensure Atletico Madrid midfielders do not run the show.

Ilias Akhomach and Alvaro Garcia will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Isi Palazon will take up the number ten role, while Jorge de Frutos should continue to lead the line for Rayo Vallecano against Atletico Madrid this weekend.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Felipe; Valentin, Gumbau; Akhomach, Palazon, A Garcia; De Frutos

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid will be without the services of Johnny Cardoso (muscle) and Pablo Barrios (thigh). Since they did not suffer any fresh injuries against Barcelona, everyone else should be available for selection.

Those who put in a solid performance against the Catalan giants will be hoping to keep their spot in the team. Meanwhile, Jan Oblak will certainly return to the starting XI.

The visitors will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal. Nahuel Molina and Matteo Ruggeri should take charge as the full-backs. Meanwhile, Marc Pubill should pair up with David Hancko in the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield unit, Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman will feature on the flanks, while Marcos Llorente will partner with Koke in a more central area in the centre of the park. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game.

In the final third, veteran striker Antoine Griezmann should keep his place in the XI. He will most likely partner with Julian Alvarez, who has been constantly linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez

Key Stats

• Atletico Madrid have won 21 out of their last 33 games against Rayo Vallecano, who could only rack up three wins in that phase.
• Rayo Vallecano are winless in their last four matches across competitions.
• Atletico Madrid have won two out of their last three matches in all competitions and have scored nine goals in those wins.
• The home team’s last win in La Liga was against Mallorca (2-1) last month.
• Rayo Vallecano have conceded at least one goal in each of their last eight games in all competitions.

Player to Watch

Antoine Griezmann

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Griezmann is no longer a regular starter for Diego Simeone. The 34-year-old French forward has been used as a rotational option this season, but every time the team has been in need of a goal in a crunch situation, he has stepped up.

The veteran attacker has racked up just over 1,400 minutes in his 33 outings, and he still has 12 goals and an assist to his name. He was on fire against Barcelona in their last outing and is now expected to get another start in this fixture. Given his form, it won’t be a surprise if Griezmann manages to add to his tally.

Prediction

Rayo Vallecano 0-3 Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid should head into this fixture full of confidence after their emphatic Copa del Rey display, and they will be keen to translate that momentum into the league. With superior quality across the pitch and multiple attacking options capable of deciding games, Diego Simeone’s men are well placed to take control early and dictate the tempo.

Rayo Vallecano may put up resistance, particularly with the desperation that comes with a relegation battle, but their recent defensive frailties could be exposed by Atletico Madrid’s movement and efficiency in the final third.

If the visitors maintain their intensity and avoid complacency, they should have enough to come away with a comfortable victory and get back to winning ways in La Liga. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 3-0 win for Simeone’s men.