Preview: Atletico Madrid take on Sevilla

Can Atletico Madrid secure three points against third placed Sevilla?

Can in-form Sevilla get all three points against the champions at the Vicente Calderon?

Both teams will be heading into this match looking to continue their current unbeaten starts to the league campaign, with Sevilla currently occupying 3rd place 2 points better off than their hosts, who are currently lying in 4th going into the game on Saturday evening.

Following their disappointing 2 -2 draw against Celta Vigo last weekend, Diego Simeone’s men bounced back with a hard-fought 1 -0 victory in mid-week against Almeria. The games winner came from Miranda from a Koke set piece, a goal which typified a team who work arduously at this part of the game; with Miranda recently stating on the clubs website “We practice it [set pieces] a lot and have a great passer like Koke.”

If Sevilla are to get a result out of this game they must be ready to defend against a bombardment of set pieces, with a team blessed with significant aerial prowess.

The Atl Madrid team could also be boosted by the potential return of Mario Mandzukic, who has not featured for the past two games. Without the former Bayern man, Atletico’s attack has looked rather subdued with the last three goals coming from centre backs Miranda and Godin. So an immediate return from the Croat would definitely improve their chances against one of the in-form teams in the league.

Like Atletico, Sevilla also come into Saturday’s fixture on the back of a 1 – 0 victory in mid-week. After victory against Real Sociedad, Sevilla have now won five games in a row in all competitions and head into the game level on points with other front runners Valencia and FC Barcelona. Unai Emery’s side have surprised many so far this season with their bright displays, despite losing Rakitic, Fazio and Moreno in the summer.

Carlos Bacca and new recruit Aleix Vidal have certainly caught the eye thus far and can potentially cause problems for an Atl Madrid defence which has been uncharacteristically penetrable so far this season. However, Sevilla have not yet played a team who suffocates space for the opposition like Atl Madrid.

The stage is set for a fascinating encounter at the Vicente Calderon.

Published with permission from La Liga Blog.