Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Atletico Madrid host Sevilla at the Wanda Metropolitano, both teams will hope to conclude their 2023 with a win.
Moreover, this game was due to take place on matchday 4, back in September, but due to bad weather in Madrid the game was postponed. Since then, both teams have been playing catch-up in La Liga.
Match Preview
Diego Simeone’s side have not won their last two games in La Liga as they lost 2-0 to Athletic Club and drew 3-3 against Getafe at home on Tuesday.
The Los Rojiblancos were 3-1 up against Getafe, with Griezmann becoming their joint all-time top goal scorer after scoring a brace. The Frenchman is now tied on 173 goals with Luis Aragones. Nevertheless, Getafe spoiled Atletico’s moment and grabbed a late draw.
They now sit in fourth place with 35 points, ten less than city rivals and table toppers Real Madrid. A win against Sevilla will close the gap to seven points.
Atletico will need to step up their game as they will also face last year’s Champions League finalist Inter in the Round of 16 in February.
After sacking Diego Alonso just nine weeks after appointing, Sevilla have hired Quique Sanchez Flores as their new manager. Flores managed to beat Granada 3-0 in his first game in charge.
Furthermore, this was also their first win in La Liga since the end of September. However, they only have 16 points in 17 games this season and sit 14th in La Liga.
Los Nervionenses finished 12th in the league last season, which is their lowest finish since they were relegated at the end of the 1999/2000 season.
Despite winning the Europa League in the last campaign, this season has been disappointing for Sevilla. Moreover, they finished last in their Champions League group, which means they will not play European football in the second half of the season.
Atletico Madrid team news
Pablo Barrios and Thomas Lemar will miss the clash due to injury, plus the team did not suffer any new injury during their last match.
Stefan Savic will miss the clash through suspension after he was sent off in the first half against Getafe. Cesar Azpilicueta will replace Savic in this game.
Alvaro Morata, who came off the bench to score, is expected to start ahead of Memphis Depay alongside Antoine Griezmann.
Sevilla team news
Djibril Sow, Joan Jordan, Dodi Lukebakio, Fernando, Marcos Acuna, Tanguy Nianzou, Mariano Diaz, Jesus Navas, Loic Bade, Erik Lamela, Orjan Nyland and Alfonso Pastor will be out with injuries for the visiting side.
Ivan Rakitic will be back in the squad after his suspension, but Flores is expected to name the same starting XI that won 3-0 against Granada.
Suso and Oliver Torres are expected to start in midfield, whereas Ocampos is set to feature alongside Youssef En-Nesyri upfront.
Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla: Predicted line-ups
Atletico Madrid (3-5-2): Oblak; Azpilicueta, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Riquelme, Lino; Griezmann, Morata
Sevilla (3-5-2): Dmitrovic; Gudelj, Ramos, Salas; Juanlu, Suso, Soumare, O Torres, Pedrosa; Ocampos, En-Nesyri
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Sevilla
Despite beating Granada 3-0, this fixture against Atletico Madrid away from home won’t be an easy game. Moreover, Sevilla have several injury issues as well. As for Los Rojiblancos, they will look to end their year with a win before entering 2024.
