Two clubs in the top half of the Spanish Liga BBVA table will do battle today in a league match between Atlético Madrid and Espanyol. The first-division clash scheduled for 5 p.m. ET will be held at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid and can be live streamed here free.
Atlético Madrid enter the weekend riding high after advancing to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. A 4-1 thumping of Italian outfit AC Milan has risen the club's spirits. Manager Diego Simeone beamed brighter than a proud father following the match and admired his men's fighting spirit (h/t to UEFA's official website). "I knew Milan could make life difficult; they have Ignazio Abate, Kaká, Mario Balotelli ... but my players were at their best in the second half," Simeone said.
"Only with the third goal did I relax a little. Now we have to wait and see who we get in the next round. Today was very important for the team," he added.
"I am very happy with the result, it is historic. I have warriors on the pitch."
Will his warriors continue to fight at home when Espanyol visits the Vicente Calderon? Tell us @SportsWN
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Atlético Madrid's Koke has been a stalwart on the wing for the club this season. The 22-year-old enters the weekend with 10 assists and averages two key passes per match.
Atlético Madrid's Projected Lineup (4-4-2): Courtois; Luis, Alderweireid, Godin, Juanfran; Turan, Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Villa, Costa
Espanyol's Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Casilla; Fuentes, Moreno, Colotto, López; López, Sáncez; Stuani, Pizzi, Simão, Garcia
(h/t to WhoScored)
| Rnk | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P |
| 1 | Real Madrid | 27 | 21 | 4 | 2 | 76 | 26 | 50 | 67 |
| 2 | Atlético Madrid | 27 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 63 | 21 | 42 | 64 |
| 3 | FC Barcelona | 27 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 74 | 22 | 52 | 63 |
| 4 | Athletic Club | 27 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 50 | 31 | 19 | 51 |
| 5 | Villarreal CF | 27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 47 | 33 | 14 | 44 |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 27 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 46 | 36 | 10 | 43 |
| 7 | Sevilla FC | 27 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 47 | 42 | 5 | 41 |
| 8 | Valencia CF | 27 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 36 |
| 9 | Espanyol | 27 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 33 | -1 | 36 |
| 10 | Levante | 27 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 26 | 34 | -8 | 36 |
| 11 | Celta de Vigo | 27 | 8 | 6 | 13 | 32 | 39 | -7 | 30 |
| 12 | Granada CF | 27 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 24 | 36 | -12 | 30 |
| 13 | Málaga CF | 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 24 | 35 | -9 | 29 |
| 14 | Osasuna | 27 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 24 | 39 | -15 | 29 |
| 15 | Elche CF | 27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 24 | 40 | -16 | 29 |
| 16 | Getafe CF | 27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 23 | 42 | -19 | 27 |
| 17 | Real Valladolid | 27 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 29 | 44 | -15 | 26 |
| 18 | UD Almería | 27 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 46 | -23 | 26 |
| 19 | Rayo Vallecano | 27 | 8 | 2 | 17 | 26 | 59 | -32 | 26 |
| 20 | Real Betis | 27 | 4 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 56 | -33 | 18 |
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.