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Massive clash in the Spanish La Liga, with both sides desperate for points as they fight for different objectives in this end of the season. Atletico is of course the odds-on favourite to get the three points, but Elche will come at Vicente Calderon ready to fight their hearts out.
Atletico Madrid is 3 points clear of Real Madrid and 4 points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table, and Simeone’s team has an amazing chance to win the title after a very long time. The hosts are in excellent form right now, winning 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions, the only “hiccup” being a 1-1 draw against Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals, but they won that tie anyway after 1-0 at home. Simeone’s side has shown some impressive pragmatism lately, winning games by slim margins, but taking their chances and not allowing opponents to create any danger offensively. Atletico conceded just 3 goals in the last 11 matches and has not allowed any goals in the last 289 minutes they played. The hosts are on the back of a 2-0 win at Getafe last weekend.
Elche (15th place) has 4 points over the relegation zone, but the battle is far from over. The hosts lost their last game against Valencia, 1-2, after getting a huge win in overtime against Getafe (1-0). The visitors have the worst offense in La Liga, their pathetic 27 goals in 33 matches being the reason they are still fighting to avoid the drop. Elche played decent football on the road this season despite the 2-5-9 statline, as they lost most of their matches by the slimmest of margins.
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Team news & lineups
Atletico Madrid will probably have to play without Diego Costa, injured last round against Getafe. Manquillo and Arda Turan are also out. Elche won`t be able to count on Alvaro, Albacar and Perez, while Aaron and Del Moral are questionable.
Atletico Madrid: Courtois – Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Luis – Garcia, Suarez, Gabi, Koke – Villa, Diego
Elche: Herrera – Suarez, Botia, Pelegrin, Sapunaru – Rivera, Sanchez – Coro, Marquez, Fidel – Herrera
Surely Atletico should win this, but the question is if the hosts can cover at least the 1 goal handicap against the relegation strugglers Elche. They might, but I`m not to keen on this type of bet. Atletico has won games by slim margins lately and Elche often loses by just 1 goal. The visitors will be desperate for points and will fight their hearts out, so this might well end up being a close 1-0 Atletico win. Diego Costa missing would also be a blow for the chances for a handicap and if we take into account that Atletico has a huge game against Chelsea coming up, they could well save some energy if they go 1 goal in front. Considering the poor goalscoring record of Elche and Atletico’s rock solid defense, my tip will be Atletico to win to nil. Prediciton: Atletico Madrid – Elche 2-0.
Pick: Atletico to win to nil
Odds: 1.67 @ Ladbrokes
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.36
Event date: 18 April
