Atletico Madrid are trying to prove once again that they are serious contenders for the La Liga title. The Spanish side are trying to thwart competition from local rivals Real Madrid and defending champions La Liga to clinch the coveted title for the second time in three years.
The Madrid side last won the title in the 2013-14 season and are looking for an encore this time as well. Atletico are currently second in La Liga, with 26 points from 12 games, and will be looking to build on their good form as they take on Espanyol at the Vicente Calderón on Saturday.
Barcelona are at the top in the group with 30 points, while Real Madrid stay third with 24 points.
Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in the last six games, while their opponents have won just twice in their previous six games. Espanyol are currently 11th in the table.
Two back-to-back wins in the Spanish league, as well as a Real Madrid defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the El Clasico earlier this month, have made Simeone's side catapult to the second place in the table. They continued their brilliant form in the UEFA Champions League as well as they recorded a 2-0 win over Galatasaray to top their group in the competition.
However, there is something that still worries the club's star midfielder Koke. The Spaniard is no doubt looking to winning the La Liga title, but he is concerned whether his side will be able to catch-up with the high-flying form of Barca this season.
"The players Barcelona have are of a high level and it's very difficult to catch them," Koke said. "They are very strong. We will take things step-by-step and we will see where we are at the end of the season.
"We have to have patience, work every day and win the next match. We have the ambition to win every match."
Espanyol come into this game after a home win against Malaga in the La Liga, and that could give them the much-needed confidence. "To win at the Vicente Calderon we must play a perfect match," club captain Javi Lopez said.
"We know that they are a very strong team in their ground, one of the teams that has conceded the fewest goals in Europe and we know how intensely they play. However, if we are able to keep our level and do what the manager asks for, we can come back with something positive."
Atletico have conceded just six goals from 12 games this season -- the lowest in the La Liga.
Possible starting XI
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Jesus Gamez, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe Luis; Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Oliver Torres; Griezmann, Vietto.
Espanyol: Pau Lopez; Javi Lopez, Roco, Gonzalez, Ruben Duarte; Diop, Sanchez, Alvarez, Asensio; Perez, Caicedo.
Where to watch the game
Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol is scheduled to kick-off at 5.15 pm GMT (10.45 pm IST, 12:15 pm EST) on Saturday, 28 November.
In India, viewers can catch the game on Sony Six HD and Sony Kix. Online streaming will be available on SonyLiv.
In the UK and Ireland, viewers can catch the game on Sky Sports 2/HD and Now TV. Online streaming will be available on Sky Go and Sky Go Extra.
In the US, viewers can catch the game on the beIN Sports en Espanol and Fubo TV. Online streaming will be available on beIN Sports Connect.
In Spain, viewers can catch the game on Canal+ Liga/HD and Abono Futbol. Online streaming will be available on Movistar TV.
The live scores of the game will be available on Bet365.
