Atletico Madrid return to the Metropolitano with a point to prove and a bruise to their pride. After a shock stumble against Las Palmas, Diego Simeone's side are itching to put things right—and they’ll be looking to do it with fire, grit, and all the fury of a wounded beast.
Currently clinging to third in the league standings, Atleti know the title is now a distant dream. But redemption? That’s still on the table—and it begins Thursday night.
Enter Rayo Vallecano.
The visitors aren’t just rolling into town for a routine fixture—they’re chasing European dreams of their own. And in this capital clash, it’s not just points on the line—it’s pride, politics, and identity.
This is a Madrid derby steeped in contrast. On one side, the hardened warriors of Atleti, forged in Simeone’s fire. On the other, the fearless underdogs of Rayo, a club with passion, purpose, and a fanbase that dances to its own drumbeat.
Forget the title race—this one’s about bragging rights, belief, and who owns the night in Madrid.
It’s been a nightmare stretch for Atlético Madrid—a two-month spiral that started with heartbreak in the Champions League, crashing out on penalties to bitter rivals Real Madrid. The pain didn’t stop there. Next came a Copa del Rey semi-final gut-punch at the hands of Barcelona. Dreams of silverware? Shattered. Pride? Hanging by a thread.
Now, with 63 points to their name, Atleti cling to third place, barely holding off an ambitious Athletic Bilbao. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano lurk with purpose—just two points off eighth place and a potential ticket to the Conference League play-offs. There’s everything to play for on both sides of the capital.
Last weekend brought yet another sting, as Atlético fell 1-0 to relegation-threatened Las Palmas. That defeat snapped a short-lived two-match winning run and added to an alarming trend: just one win in their last nine across all competitions. Six losses. One draw. It's a slump Simeone’s men must snap out of—fast.
Worse yet, the once-fearsome Metropolitano fortress has begun to crumble. Atlético have lost three of their last four home games. The walls are closing in, and the fans are demanding a response.
The silver lining? A clean bill of health. No fresh injuries, and a full squad locked and loaded for Thursday night.
Rodrigo De Paul is expected to return to midfield, linking up with the energetic Pablo Barrios in the engine room. Up top, Antoine Griezmann is tipped to lead the line once more, likely displacing Alexander Sørloth. And then there’s Julian Alvarez—the Argentine marksman who’s already struck 14 times in the league this season, and who now shoulders the hopes of a club desperate for resurgence.
The pressure is real. The stakes are high. And the Metropolitano is ready for a reckoning.
ATLÉTICO MADRID predicted lineup vs RAYO VALLECANO: Oblak (GK); Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Alvarez, Griezmann.
Under the watch of Inigo Perez—once the right-hand man to former boss Andoni Iraola—Rayo Vallecano have continued to dazzle with their high-octane, fearless football. It’s been a joyride at times, full of energy, pressing, and panache. But lately, the engine’s been sputtering.
Whether it’s the toll of their relentless style or the comfort of mid-table security, Rayo’s form has dropped off a cliff this spring. Still, the dream isn’t dead just yet. A top-eight finish—and with it, a golden ticket to Europe—is within reach. But to seize it, they’ll need a serious turnaround.
Their last outing? A frustrating 1-1 home draw with Valencia. It broke a two-game losing streak, sure—but it did little to shift the mood. One win in nine league games paints a grim picture. And the road hasn’t been kind either, with three losses in their last four away trips in La Liga.
As if the task wasn’t daunting enough, Perez heads to the Metropolitano with a battered squad. Abdul Mumin and Jonathan Montiel are ruled out—knee and quad injuries taking them out of the mix. Sergio Camello is nearing the end of his recovery from a foot injury, but Thursday’s clash will likely come too soon.
Perez may look to inject some life into his midfield, with Unai López in line for a start after two games on the bench. Rayo need something fresh. Something bold. Something to wake them from this spring slumber.
Against an Atletico side wounded but dangerous, Rayo will need to rediscover their edge—or risk watching their European hopes slip quietly away.
RAYO VALLECANO predicted lineup vs ATLÉTICO MADRID: Batalla (GK); Ratiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarria; Valentin, Lopez; De Frutos, Diaz, Garcia; Nteka.
Rayo Vallecano have only tasted European football once before—but eighth place offers a golden chance to change that. A spot in the Conference League is within reach, if they can shake off their spring slump.
Atético Madrid, meanwhile, are out of the Champions League and Copa del Rey, leaving them with only La Liga to focus on. That renewed clarity might be just what they need to rediscover their edge and finish strong.
Prediction: Atlético Madrid winner.
