Atlético Madrid: Simeone's Men Seek 6th Win Against Struggling Oviedo

Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid carry significant momentum into their LaLiga clash with newly-promoted Real Oviedo at the Metropolitano on Saturday, November 29th. The Rojiblancos are riding a wave of confidence, boasting an impressive six-game winning streak across all competitions and sitting fourth in the league table. With a victory and favorable results elsewhere, they could climb as high as second place, setting the stage for a challenging December run.

Unwavering Momentum: Atlético's Form

Atlético's resurgence has been remarkable. Since a heavy 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, they've gone unbeaten in their last twelve LaLiga matches, winning eight and drawing four. This includes four consecutive league victories. Their attacking potency is undeniable, finding the net in all 13 league games this season (25 goals total), a feat last achieved in the 1978-79 season. Defensively, they've tightened up significantly, keeping four clean sheets in their last five league games after conceding in seven of their previous eight.

Team News: Injuries and Selection Dilemmas

Simeone faces some selection challenges. Defender Robin Le Normand and midfielder Marcos Llorente are both ruled out for the Oviedo fixture. However, there's positive news: Le Normand and legendary goalkeeper Jan Oblak are back in training after Oblak's two-game absence due to an injury picked up on international duty. Oblak, a six-time Zamora Trophy winner, has a chance to reclaim his spot.

The main goalkeeping decision lies with Simeone. Juan Musso has seized his opportunity in Oblak's absence with stellar performances. The Argentine saved Atlético with five crucial saves in their dramatic 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan and kept a clean sheet against Getafe. Simeone explicitly welcomes the competition, praising Musso's "personality, presence, camaraderie, and positive energy," stating his good form benefits both Oblak and the team.

Other areas to watch include the right-back position. Nahuel Molina's form has been inconsistent, making Marc Pubill's impressive debut performance against Inter a strong case for a start. The left flank also presents questions, with Matteo Ruggeri and Nico González competent defensively but lacking a consistent attacking threat. Thiago Almada and Álex Baena continue to settle into their roles and could be key in unlocking Oviedo's defense.

The Opponent: Oviedo's Struggle

Real Oviedo's return to LaLiga has been challenging. Currently bottom of the table with just nine points from 13 games (2-3-8), they haven't won in any competition since September 30th (versus Valencia). Scoring has been their Achilles' heel, with only seven goals in the league – three of which came in a single match against Girona. They've been held scoreless in nine games this season. While they've drawn two of their last three league matches (L1), they remain goalless during that run. Their Copa del Rey exit to third-tier Ourense highlighted their difficulties. Players like David Carmo, Javi López, and goalkeeper Aarón Escandell (one of the league's best keepers) have offered glimpses of quality, but overall, it's been a tough adaptation.

Historical Context

Atlético holds a commanding historical advantage (32 wins, 17 draws, 23 losses) against Oviedo in LaLiga. However, the last league meeting was over 25 years ago in the 1999/2000 season. Their most recent encounter was a 2-0 Copa del Rey victory for Atlético in January 2023. Notable figures like Luis Aragonés, Radomir Antić, and Borja Bastón have represented both clubs.

Players to Watch

• Atlético Madrid: Julián Álvarez - The striker is in scintillating form, netting seven league goals this season – only Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski have scored more. He's found the net in three of his last five appearances, including the opener against Inter.
• Real Oviedo: Santi Cazorla - The veteran midfielder has a history against Atlético (1 goal, 3 assists in 18 LaLiga appearances), though his impact away from home against them has been limited.

Match Prediction

Given their current form, the momentum, and the gulf in league positions, Atlético Madrid are overwhelming favorites. FotMob gives them a 74.1% win probability. Oviedo's inability to score recently and Atlético's defensive solidity make a clean sheet likely for the hosts. Expect Simeone's side to continue their winning streak and consolidate their top-four push. The real question might be the scoreline and whether Musso or Oblak gets the nod between the sticks.