🔈 What can we expect from Atletico after a less than stellar last season? In the opening round of the new campaign, Los Colchoneros face a familiar opponent in Espanyol. The Parakeets fought tooth and nail to retain their top-flight status last season, eventually finishing just two points above the relegation zone. The main intrigue lies in whether the atmosphere at the Cornella-El Prat will be a decisive factor in determining the winner. Let's take a look at how the bookmakers see it: Espanyol's victory is at 6.5, while Atletico's win is favored at 1.57.

Head-to-Head

📊 Espanyol have managed just one victory in their last 10 encounters with Atlético Madrid, which came in the 2018/19 season (3-0). In their four most recent head-to-head clashes, neither team has emerged as the stronger side. Last season, the "Parakeets" and the "Rojiblancos" failed to find the net at the Wanda Metropolitano (0-0) and scored once each in the Catalan capital (1-1).

Espanyol Barcelona Team Overview

🔴 This summer, the Catalan club underwent a leadership change as the VSL holding company invested around €130 million to acquire 99.66% of the team's shares. Espanyol consistently ranks among the underdogs, often fighting for survival. However, with Manolo Gonzalez at the helm, there is hope for progress and a push for higher standings in the upcoming season.

🔵 Additionally, during their preseason campaign, the Catalan side was impressive, remaining unbeaten in six matches (four wins and two draws). A significant move by Espanyol's new management was extending Manolo Gonzalez's contract until 2027, demonstrating their trust in the coach.

Atletico Madrid Team Overview

🔴 Last season fell short of expectations for Atletico. Although Diego Simeone's squad secured a top-three finish in La Liga, which is the club's annual minimum target, there were several disappointing results. The unbalanced play of "Los Colchoneros" led to early exits from both the Champions League and the Club World Cup. Nevertheless, Diego Simeone continues to enjoy the trust of the management as he prepares for his 15th season at the helm of the capital club.

⚪ Atletico's participation in the Club World Cup disrupted their full pre-season preparations. The Spanish side played only two friendlies—against Porto (0-1) and Newcastle (2-0). However, this should not impact Atletico's performance in the season, as the Argentine manager's ideas are well-established and do not require constant reinforcement. 

Latest news

Espanyol Barcelona

📰 Espanyol have been actively monitoring the free agent market during the off-season. The "Parakeets" have bolstered their roster with the additions of Kike García, Marko Dmitrović, Miguel Rubio, José Salinas, Hugo Pérez, Marcos Fernández Sánchez, and Tyrhys Dolan. They have also secured Ramón Terrats on loan and purchased the rights to Roberto Fernández Jean. These proactive moves in the market offer hope for strengthening the club and increasing its stability.

🎤 Edu Expósito's comments ahead of the La Liga opener are quite intriguing: "The first step is to win this Sunday’s match and start collecting a lot of points, especially at home, because that will give us a lot of advantages throughout the season. We need to pay special attention to our defensive play, as that's how teams win tournaments."

❌ Espanyol approach the opening round of La Liga with a full-strength squad.

Atletico Madrid

📰 An inconsistent last season pushed Atletico's management to make significant moves in the transfer market. As a result, the club welcomed Matteo Ruggeri (from Atalanta), Alejandro Baena (from Villarreal), Johnny Cardoso (from Betis), Thiago Almada (from Botafogo), Marc Pubill (from Almeria), David Hancko (from Feyenoord), and Giovanni Raspadori (from Napoli). These intriguing signings are expected to elevate the "Colchoneros" to a new level of performance.  

🎤 Atletico's CEO Miguel Angel Gil looks at the ongoing sports project with great optimism. "We firmly believe we are building a team capable of dreaming bigger. We are ambitious and ready to take risks. We have attracted and will continue to attract new partners willing to invest capital, which is vital for the development of sports, infrastructure, and our community. A year ago, we decided to refresh and rejuvenate our main squad. We had a strong group for several years, but it was time for change," said the Spanish executive.

❌ In the "Indians'" infirmary is Uruguayan defender Jose Maria Gimenez, who sustained a thigh injury during the Club World Cup. Additionally, some ailments might prevent Alexander Sorloth from participating in the opening round of La Liga.

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

Clashes between Espanyol and Atletico are consistently intense and eventful. In 5 of their last 7 meetings, there have been at least 5 yellow cards shown. On average, these encounters see around 5.7 bookings. The passionate Catalan crowd adds to the fiery atmosphere on the pitch. We suggest betting on over 3.5 total yellow cards.

⚽ Goal Prediction

It's no secret that Diego Simeone's tactical approach has evolved. The "Colchoneros" now often engage in possession play and even apply situational high pressing. However, they still face challenges breaking down deep-lying defenses against more defensive teams. We doubt the upcoming match will be high-scoring – under 2.5 total goals.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Last season, Espanyol earned a notably low number of corners, averaging about 3.8 per game. Atletico's average stood at 5. In head-to-head encounters, the Madrid club also holds an edge in this aspect: 6 to 4. Considering these factors, a reasonable bet would be on Atletico to win the corner count.

Realistically, Espanyol have slim chances in their opening match against Atletico Madrid. The disparity in player quality and the well-structured organization of the capital club play a significant role here. Several reinforcements are expected to elevate the "Rojiblancos" to a new level, making their encounters with mid-table teams more manageable. Our editorial team predicts a final score of 0-2, with the key bet being on Atletico's victory.