Shaken by a defeat in the King’s Cup of Spain, Atletico Madrid enters the field this Saturday, January 20, to defend the vice-leadership of the Spanish Championship in its 2017/2018 season. At the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, the match is part of the twentieth round of the tournament, the first of the second round. The start is scheduled for 13:15 (Brasília time).

The recent performance of Atletico Madrid

On Wednesday, January 17, the capital’s team were surprised by Sevilla in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the King’s Cup. Lost by 2 to 1 in his stadium. His defense, less leaked from the Spanish Championship, failed to hold the open lead on the scoreboard having conceded two goals in the last ten minutes. You will now have to reverse the disadvantage at the opponent’s stage.
The attempt to react will not count with defender Diego Godin (16 games in the Spanish 2017/2018 Championship, no goal). He is suspended by the accumulation of yellow cards. It should not be the only casualty in defense. Brazilian left-back Filipe Luís (13 matches, one goal) is still treated for a thigh injury. According to the Spanish press news should not be released to act.
There is doubt about midfielder Nicolas Gaitan (six games, no goal). However, even if it is released the Argentine will most likely be related only to the reservation bank.
Atletico still did not lose in the Metropolitan Wanda in matches of the Spanish Championship. In eight duels, he won five and drew three. You will now have three consecutive games in your domains by LaLiga. It is the hope that the fans have that the difference for the leader Barcelona is reduced. With 42 points (12 wins, 6 draws and a loss) the disadvantage is nine points.
Author of the goal against Sevilla, the Spanish-born Brazilian Diego Costa could strengthen the team on Saturday. He completed the automatic suspension for his expulsion in the win over Getafe (2 to 0) in the match in which Atletico defeated Eibar (1-0 as a visitor) and already has conditions of play. It will probably be scaled as a starter.

The current form of Girona

Eliminated early in the King’s Cup, the Girona had the week off to train for Saturday’s game and savor the wider victory they achieved in the season. On Saturday, January 13, at home, the team started 6-0 at Las Palmas.
Thus, it is comfortably installed in the middle of the table of classification of the Spanish Championship. It occupies the tenth position with 26 points (seven victories, five ties and seven defeats). He is ten points clear in the comparison as La Coruña, eighteenth and first in the relegation zone, and is three behind Sevilla, who finishes in the sixth position the team block that would be classified for European tournaments.
To try to keep this situation comfortable, coach Pablo Machin may have to deal with the absence of his most important striker. The Uruguayan Christian Stuani (17 games in the 2017/2018 Spanish Championship, ten goals) was injured in the win against Las Palmas, Saiu in the interval after making a goal. There is no information about the term of recovery.
Also in the treatment of injuries reserve keeper Jose Suárez (without performances in the current season) and defenders Pedro Alcala (five games, one goal) and Marc Muniesa (ten games, no goal).

History of the bouts between Atlético de Madrid and Girona
The duel in the first round of the current edition of the Spanish Championship was the first encounter involving the teams and ended in the tie by 2 to 2.

Despite the surprising defeat in the King’s Cup, Atletico is the best option for a guess this Saturday. It has a prize of 1.36 in Bet365. Draw returns 4.75. Success visitor multiplies the investment by 9.50. Prices in effect at 1:28 PM on 1/18/2018