Atlético de Madrid take on Celta Vigo after derby draw.

After a weekend defeat to Athletic Club, the Sky Blues make a return in this midweek clash against the Mattress Makers, hoping to return to winning ways. Celta de Vigo vs. Atlético de Madrid kicks off at 20:00 [GMT+1] on Thursday, September 26, at Balaídos.

A goal from the penalty spot via Iago Aspas [25’ P.] failed to earn Celta Vigo any point at the weekend after a brace from Gorka Guruzeta [4’, 39’] and a goal from Álvaro Djaló [80’] left them at the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline against Athletic Club. The Sky Blues dropped into 9th place with 9 points, having lost just as many games as they have won [3W, 0D, 3L]. Celta Vigo [WLLWL] will return in this midweek clash against Atletico Madrid, hoping to get back to winning ways. However, their recent record with the Mattress Makers has been nothing short of shocking. The Sky Blues are on a six-game losing run against Atletico Madrid, escaping defeat only once in eight meetings [0W, 1D, 7L]. Vigo, however, will be counting on their home form, with all three victories this season coming in front of the home crowd. Claudio Giráldez González, who has a 50% win ratio with the club [16G: 8W, 2D, 6L], deployed a 3—4—3 for the game against Athletic Club. He is expected to keep the same shape in place this midweek with Jonathan Bamba, Anastasios Douvikas, and Iago Aspas in attack. As many as three, including Javier Manquillo, are ruled out of this fixture.

Conor Gallagher appears to be settling well into life at Atletico Madrid, having helped his side salvage a point in a 1-1 draw in the weekend’s Madrid derby against Rayo Vallecano. It was the second La Liga goal for the 24-year-old English midfielder. Before Gallagher’s goal [50’], Vallecano took the lead via Isi Palazón [35’]. ‘We were missing everything in the first half. We have to push harder. Everyone has to run; you don’t win just because of the shirt,' Koke said in a post-match interview after the derby draw. ATL. Madrid remained in 4th place following the draw, their third such result since the season kicked off. The Mattress Makers have 12 points [3W, 3D, 0L] ahead of the midweek round of fixtures, trailing rivals, table-topping Barcelona [18 points] and 2nd-placed Real Madrid with [14 points], by six and two points, respectively. With their impressive H2H record against Celta Vigo, this midweek trip looks like a ripe opportunity to earn three points as Diego Simeone’s side looks to close in on the duo in the early race for top places. A 5—3—2 with Julián Alvarez and Alexander Sørloth in attack is anticipated for this midweek clash.