Preview: Atletico face Getafe with an excellent record against their neighbours

Atletico Madrid face one of the Diego Simeone's favorite opponents on Sunday at 5.15pm (GMT) at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on the outskirts of Madrid. Atleti have no defeats against Getafe since the arrival of Cholo and a single draw. Furthermore, Los Rojiblancos have conceded no goals in 8 league games against their Sunday night rivals with 22 in their favor.

Meanwhile, Getafe, managed by Fran Escribá, who acted as assistant coach during Quique Sánchez Flores' tenure at Atleti, has halped Getafe recover from a poor start to their season. They have settled close to the middle of the table and are starting to show signs of how good a manager Escriba can be. The former Atletico assistant will have Emiliano Velázquez and Bernard Mensah available despite both players being on loan from Atletico.

On other hand, the Mattress Makers have four players with four yellow cards. Godín, Giménez, Carrasco and Griezmann will have to be careful not to be booked so they will not miss Atletico's game against Villarreal next weekend. They will also have to take into account that a week later they face Real Madrid in the Derbi.

Atletico's best defensive live

Last Saturday Simeone had to put a circumstantial defensive line into action with Gámez, Giménez, Saúl and Lucas due to several absences of important players in the defense. In addition, Captain Diego Godín suffered a knee injury during that game but seems to be totally recovered prior to the game against Getafe.

Savic continues to suffer physical problems and will miss the match but Lucas will occupy his sport on the bench. The canterano played well against Eibar despite not playing in his favorite position. He looked self-assured and showed why Simeone wanted to keep him despite interest from afar during the winter transfer window.

Carrasco or Óliver the only unknown

Once the defensive line seems to be clear, it remains to be seen which players Cholo will choose for midfield and up front. Koke and Gabi should be kept in the centre and Saul returns to midfield after playing the last game in central defense.

Carrasco has had some physical problems and Cholo has shown reluctance in deciding whether to pick the Belgian or Oliver Torres. Torres had some spectacular moments last weekend. The canterano had a big influence when Simeone chose to place him behind the strikers in a position of freedom.

Griezmann and Torres will most likely form the striker force. Fernando landed his elusive 100th goal in Atletico colours and it will be important to see whether it proves to change his confidence in front of goal. After the departure of Jackson Martinez, his role will become even more important since he is the only pure centre forward in Atletico's squad for the remainder of the season.

Possible XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Koke, Saúl, Óliver (?); Griezmann, Torres.

Simeone´s squad

In: Oblak, Moyá, Godín, Giménez, Lucas, Filipe, Juanfran, Gámez, Kranevitter, Gabi, Koke, Óliver, Carrasco, Correa, Griezmann, Vietto, and Torres.

Out: Savic, Thomas, Augusto and Tiago (injury).