Atletico round off their La Liga campaign in Catalonia on Sunday as they travel to the Montilivi to take on Girona in what is effectively a dead rubber for both sides.
Atletico threatened to challenge both Barcelona and Real Madrid for the La Liga title this season, but their away form since the turn of the year means they have to settle for third place, which is enough for qualification in next season’s Champions League.
Diego Simeone’s visitors travel to Catalonia having won just two of their previous nine La Liga contests on their travels (W2-D3-L4), failing to even score in each of their last three.
Last season, it was Girona who finished third in La Liga in what was a historical campaign for Los Blanquivermells, qualifying for the Champions League for the very first time in their history.
However, things have been much tougher for Michel’s men this campaign, as they are languishing in 16th position in the La Liga table.
However, their top-flight status for next season has already been secured, as they are four points clear of Leganes, who currently occupy the final relegation spot.
How the bookies view it: Atleti favourites
Despite winning just two of their past nine La Liga road trips, BoyleSports make Atletico 20/23 favourites to leave Catalonia with three points.
Girona are priced up at 23/10 to sign their season off with a win with the same form, whilst the draw is 5/2.
Head to head: Simeone’s men have the edge
Atletico tend to dominate this fixture, winning five of the last six meetings between the two sides.
However, Girona claimed a 4-3 victory in the corresponding fixture last season.
Players to watch: Stuani to strike again?
Girona’s all-time appearance maker and goal-scorer Christian Stuani has scored in five of his last six appearances for the Catalonia side, and the Uruguayan is 13/8 at BoyleSports to net anytime on Sunday.
Julian Alvarez has had a positive impact since joining the club from Manchester City last summer, slamming in 29 goals this season, with 17 of those coming in La Liga.
Predicted line-ups:
Girona are expected to be without Ex-Premier League pair Donny van de Beek and Bryan Gil, as well as Richard Artero, Miguel Gutierrez and Gabriel Misehouy.
Atleti don’t appear to have many injuries or suspensions, with only Pablo Barrios deemed as a doubt, whilst Ex-Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta may make his final appearance for the club.
Girona: Krapyvstov, Martinez, Frances, Krejci, Blind, Tsygankov, Herrera, Solis, Martin, Asprilla, Stuani
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galan, Simeone, De Paul, Koke, Lino, Sorloth, Alvarez
Anything else catch the eye?
Bookies are expecting goals here, with Both Teams to Score just 1/2 at BoyleSports, whilst Over 2.5 Goals is only slightly better at 4/7.
However, Under 2.5 Goals has paid out in 12 of Atletico’s previous 17 La Liga clashes on the road – including in each of their last three – whilst both sides have failed to score in each of their last three and eight of their past 13 on their travels.
Girona’s matches at home have generally been good for goals this season, but four of their last five have gone Under 2.5 Goals – whilst both have failed to score in three of their past four – meaning I’m willing to back a low-scoring clash in Catalonia on Sunday.
GambleAware