- Atletico Madrid are odds-on favourites at 1.87 for Saturday's game, while Espanyol are 3.8 and the draw 3.7.
- The last 5 meetings between these clubs are tied at 1 win each and 3 draws.
Atleti’s attacking edge could be decisive
RCD Espanyol will be pleased that Saturday's visit of Atletico Madrid has come just when they are finding their feet under Manolo Gonzalez, who has overseen a much more compact and tough-to-be-beat side since March 2024.
The Pericos are 11th in the LaLiga 2026/2027 table after eight games with eight points while Atleti are second with 16 points from seven games. Atleti are odds-on to win this Saturday's fixture and the 1.87 about the visitors looks a bit short to us.
Los Colchoneros are flying with three straight wins coming into this, although their form is a little better over the last five (3 wins, 2 defeats). Oscar Fernandez has masterminded a ruthless structure since taking the helm in July 2021 and his side are very effective in transition, which has been their most successful play of late.
Espanyol can stay in the contest
Atletico Madrid won the reverse fixture 4-2 at home, but have failed to win any of their last 3 away at Espanyol, although the teams have been much more evenly matched since Gonzalez took over in March.
The contrast in styles is clear for all to see with Espanyol generally lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that isn't overly adventurous in build-up play, preferring to be compact and dangerous on the counter-attack. They can stay compact for long periods and have the players in place to make the odd surge forward or cross-field ball stick.
Javi Hernandez has been the orchestrator, providing 4 assists in seven LaLiga matches, while Roberto Fernandez is the main goal threat with 6 goals in the same number of games.
Atleti the value in goal markets
Espanyol have conceded 6 goals in 4 home games, but this is a tough place to go and it's unlikely that Atletico will get the sort of easy game they have been used to in recent weeks.
Espanyol usually line up in a 4-2-3-1, but are able to get the ball forward in numbers when they win it back, which is where they have been ruthless of late. Alejandro Baena is their most prolific attacker with 4 LaLiga goals in 7, but the addition of Jonathan David has given them an extra dimension with the Canadian scoring 3 of their last 10.
Over 2.5 goals at 1.8 looks the sharper alternative to Atletico Madrid in the goal markets because the visitors are more of an open game team these days and this fixture always seems to be decided by turnovers and battles out wide. Espanyol can keep it tight for spells, but Atletico Madrid have the edge and should ultimately win the game at RCDE Stadium.
