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Preview: Elche vs. Atletico Madrid

Sports Mole previews Atletico Madrid's La Liga trip to second-from-bottom Elche, with Diego Simeone expected to reshuffle his squad after Copa del Rey action.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is expected to restore many of his first-team regulars for their La Liga trip to struggling Elche on Saturday.

The Spanish champions rested many of their high-profile names for the 3-0 Copa del Rey first-leg victory over third-tier L'Hospitalet in midweek.

Antoine Greizmann came off the bench to get the ball rolling for Atletico in the second half and is one of 10 players who could be recalled this weekend.

Jose Giminez is the only one of the 11 starters who are likely to feature from the off against Elche, with Saul Niguez, Alessio Cerci, Cristian Rodriguez, Guilherme Siqueira and Mario Suarez among those missing out.

Miranda remains injured, but captain Gabi is available again after suspension and will return in midfield alongside Koke and Tiago as Madrid go in search of a third straight win, which could briefly take them second.

While they have been imperious at the Vicente Calderon this term, Atletico have already dropped eight points on the road and cannot afford many more away slip-ups if they are to keep up with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

However, Simeone will be hopeful that an Elche side who have won just one of their last 10 games and sit second from bottom in the table will cause them few problems at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.

Fran Escriba's side were also in cup action in midweek - holding Real Valladolid to a 0-0 stalemate - but they have only kept one clean sheet in the league this season and their 27 goals conceded is the second highest.

Six changes were made for their trip to Valladolid and so Escriba could bring David Lomban, Victor Rodriguez, and six-goal top scorer Jonathas back into his team to face a side whom they have never beaten.

Elche:

Form in La Liga: LLWDDL
Form in all competitions: LWDDLD

Possible starting lineup: Tyton; Suarez, Lomban, Cisma, Pelegrin; Mosquera, Gonzalez, Victor Rodriguez, Fajr; Herrera, Jonathas

Atletico:

Form in La Liga: WWWLWW
Form in all competitions: WLWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Giminez, Ansaldi; Tiago, Koke, Garcia; Griezmann, Turan, Mandzukic

Sports Mole says: 1-3


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Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone looks on prior to kick-off in the Champions League semi-final first leg match against Chelsea on April 22, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid21154250203049
2Atletico MadridAtletico21136235142145
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao20116331181339
5Villarreal219753932734
6Mallorca219391926-730
7Real Sociedad208481714328
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Real BetisBetis217772326-328
10Osasuna216962530-527
11Sevilla217682430-627
12Rayo Vallecano206862323026
13Celta Vigo2073102932-324
14Las PalmasLas Palmas2165102634-823
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2155112033-1320
19Valencia2037101929-1016
20Real ValladolidValladolid2143141442-2815


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