La Liga returns in Spain following a short break and on the 2nd of January the defending champions are in action as Atlético Madrid meet Rayo Vallecano at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
The hosts begin this round of fixtures in 5th place on 29 points while the visitors are in 4th place on 30 points, so there is plenty riding on this game.
🔙 𝗗𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢 a los entrenamientos para comenzar a preparar el primer partido de 2⃣0⃣2⃣2⃣ pic.twitter.com/4NbhmWZLw7— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) December 29, 2021
🔙 𝗗𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢 a los entrenamientos para comenzar a preparar el primer partido de 2⃣0⃣2⃣2⃣ pic.twitter.com/4NbhmWZLw7
Atlético Madrid come into the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Granada before Christmas. Atlético Madrid took the lead after only 2 minutes but conceded the equaliser just 15 minutes later.
With both teams searching for the winning goal, it was Granada who struck in the second half to seal maximum points.
That result means Atlético Madrid have lost each of their last 3 games in all competitions and all 4 of their most recent La Liga fixtures. In addition to the defeat at Granada, Atlético Madrid have lost at home against Real Mallorca and away to Real Madrid and Sevilla.
However, the defeat at home at the hands of Real Mallorca is the only loss suffered by Atlético Madrid on home soil in their last 15 La Liga games.
They have won 3 of their last 5 home league matches and have kept a clean sheet in each of those 3 victories. In fact, Atlético Madrid have kept a clean sheet in 4 of their 6 most recent home league fixtures.
Rayo Vallecano make the short trip to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano having beat Alaves 2-0 at home in their previous La Liga game. Both goals came in the first half of the match Rayo Vallecano remained in control of the game in the second half to take all 3 points.
That result means Rayo Vallecano have won 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions, including wins over Guijuelo and Bergantiños in the Copa Del Rey and a victory over Espanyol at home in La Liga. Rayo Vallecano are undefeated in 4 of their last 5 league games.
However, they have been struggling to win matches away from home in La Liga and Rayo Vallecano have lost 4 of their last 5 and picked up just a single win from their 18 most recent away league matches.
Conceding goals has been a problem and Rayo Vallecano have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 18 away trips.
Team news and Atlético Madrid are hoping Antoine Griezmann returns from a muscle problem. Marcos Llorente and Stefan Savic remain on the treatment table.
Rayo Vallecano have had a significant COVID-19 outbreak in their squad. Several players have tested positive and at the time of writing, it is difficult to predict who is going to be available for selection.
This has the makings of being another tough fixture for Atlético Madrid but the extensive list of absentees for the visitors could help them take maximum points. Rayo Vallecano will not go down without a fight but Atlético Madrid could secure a narrow 1-0 victory.