Atletico Madrid are in desperate need to return to the win column in order to get back into the Champions League spots with the club heading on the road to meet with Almeria at the Municipal Stadium of the Mediterranean Games.
It's been a tough road for Diego Simeone in La Liga this year and in the Champions League. The Argentine is out of Europe's elite competition at the group stages for the first time under his leadership and now sit down in fifth on the domestic front.
Penultimate training session before facing @Atleti.#VamosAlmería 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/TMSlW3Dpk5— UD Almería (@UDAlmeria_Eng) January 13, 2023
Penultimate training session before facing @Atleti.#VamosAlmería 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/TMSlW3Dpk5
Reports have now been suggesting that Simeone will step down as head coach of the club after over a decade in charge.
Atletico are heading into this one after a home loss to Barcelona in a 1-0 defeat. It has sent them practically out of the title race already, and in truth, they were never really in it.
Stefan Savic was also sent off for a scuffle with Ferran Torres in that game, and he now misses this clash due to suspension.
Just prior to this, however, Simeone restarted competitive action with the Madrid side in great form, having beaten Elche 2-0 thanks to goals from Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata - Felix is now with Chelsea in the Premier League for the rest of the season.
At the same time, Mario Hermoso was sent off in that one, meaning Atletico have had two red cards in their first two games since action continued in La Liga.
Atletico also eased past Real Oviedo in the round of 32 Copa del Rey meeting to now set up a clash with Levante in the last 16 next week.
The club are only behind the Champions League spot of fourth by one point, while they are behind fifth-placed Real Sociedad by five points but have a better goals difference record than them both.
They are, however, behind Real Madrid in second by 11 points and it is very unlikely they will catch them.
Almeria, however, are down in 14th and have a healthy gap on the relegation spots, which they will take for now.
It is just a gap of two points, however, but their goals difference is greatly superior. The club lost to Real Sociedad last time out, while also drawing with Cadiz in their comeback game in La Liga.
Forebet predicts a win here for Atletico and for the game to see over 2.5 goals as they could move back into the top four.