Espanyol will make the trio to Riyadh Air Metropolitano for their La Liga encounter with Real Madrid on Saturday, 21 February 2026.
View our free Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol predictions below.
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Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol predictions: Goals at both ends
Key stats
- Both teams were on the scoresheet in five of Espanyol's last six matches.
- Eight of the last nine H2Hs produced goals at both ends.
- Espanyol are currently on a seven-game winless streak.
Correct score prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Espanyol
To be fair, Espanyol are without a win in seven games. However, it is important to note that Atletico Madrid will likely want to keep their starters fresh for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie against Club Brugge next week, so Diego Simeone will likely keep most of his top players on the bench, as he did last weekend.
Moreover, despite their recent shortcomings, Espanyol have held their own against Atletico, with no defeats in the last five encounters between these sides.
Keeping in mind that four of those clashes ended in stalemates, we are confident that the spoils will be shared between these teams after 90 minutes.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Espanyol up against it
- HOME: 10/21 (1.48) – 67.7%
- DRAW: 17/5 (4.40) – 22.7%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Espanyol halted their losing run with a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo last weekend. Despite being one of the best La Liga teams in the first half of the campaign, the Catalan side have now dropped to sixth in the Spanish top flight due to their seven-game winless streak.
On the other hand, Atletico Madrid played out a 3-3 draw with Club Brugge earlier this week, after a disappointing 3-0 defeat away at Rayo Vallecano last weekend. They are fourth in La Liga, eight points ahead of their visitors with a 13-6-5 win-draw-loss record.
Interestingly, Atletico Madrid have been one of the best home teams in the Spanish top flight, having won 10 of their 12 league matches at Riyadh Air Metropolitano this season.
Ahead of this skirmish, Atletico Madrid are the expected winners at 10/21 (1.48). Teams with these odds generally have a 67.7% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol predictions.
Also, considering that eight of the last nine H2Hs featured goals at both ends, BTTS – Yes has an appealing look at 19/20 (1.95). That one has a 51.3% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Espanyol to complete the sweep?
Although it can be said that Espanyol have no losses in their last five meetings with Atletico Madrid, it is fair to note that four of those ended in stalemates.
That said, Atletico Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Spain La Liga 17/08/25
Espanyol
Atletico Madrid
Spain La Liga 29/03/25
Espanyol
Atletico Madrid
Spain La Liga 28/08/24
Atletico Madrid
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 24/05/23
Espanyol
Atletico Madrid
Spain La Liga 06/11/22
Atletico Madrid
Espanyol
Atletico Madrid preview: Looking to return to winning ways
Diego Simeone will have to do without the services of injured Nico Gonzalez and Pablo Barrios, with both first-team players nursing thigh injuries.
Moreover, Rodrigo Mendoza accumulated the maximum allowable number of yellow cards during last weekend's heavy defeat at Rayo and now faces a one-game suspension.
Predicted lineup: Oblak (GK), Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Ruggeri, Llorente, Cardoso, Simeone, Baena, Almada & Sorloth
Last five matches
- 18/02/26: Club Brugge 3-3 Atletico Madrid (UEFA Champions League)
- 15/02/26: Rayo Vallecano 3-0 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
- 12/02/26: Atletico Madrid 4-0 Barcelona (Copa del Rey)
- 08/02/26: Atletico Madrid 0-1 Real Betis (La Liga)
- 05/02/26: Real Betis 0-5 Atletico Madrid (Copa del Rey)
Espanyol preview: Hoping to halt their unwanted streak
As for Espanyol, Javi Puado is ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a serious cruciate ligament injury, while Fernando Calero's thigh problem is expected to keep him sidelined for this encounter.
Predicted lineup: Dmitrovic (GK), El Hilali, Riedel, Cabrera, Romero, Gonzalez, Lozano, Milla, Terrats, Dolan & Fernandez
Last five matches
- 14/02/26: Espanyol 2-2 Celta Vigo (La Liga)
- 09/02/26: Villarreal 4-1 Espanyol (La Liga)
- 30/01/26: Espanyol 1-2 Alaves (La Liga)
- 24/01/26: Valencia 3-2 Espanyol (La Liga)
- 16/01/26: Espanyol 0-2 Girona (La Liga)
Player to watch: Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman found the net in Atletico Madrid's 3-3 draw at Club Brugge earlier this week. The former Atalanta player has been in sensational form since he joined the club a few weeks ago, with five goal contributions in his five appearances.