Simeone Should be Lauded After Another Fine La Liga Campaign

Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid

The campaign had started with so much expectation amidst Atletico fans.

A victory in the curtain raiser to the season over arch-rivals and reigning European champions Real Madrid had Los Rojiblancos dreaming of greater glories than that and the Europa League success with which they concluded last season.

It would be hard for SBOBET fans to now brand 2018/19 unsuccessful as Diego Simeone is always competing against the La Liga giants that are Real and Barcelona.

Yet a second successive position of runners-up would go some way for atoning for the undoubted disappointments.

Talking Points

After producing their own fair share of La Liga 2019 highlights, Atletico travel to Espanyol knowing a draw will mathematically seal second spot.

It will also begin the goodbye to popular Inter Milan-bound skipper Diego Godin, who has three matches left in an Atletico career which has spanned nine years, eight titles and various decisive goals following his arrival from Villarreal in 2010.

Lucas Hernandez has already signed for Bayern Munich, and then there’s Rodrigo Hernandez, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expressing his interest. Should City attempt to sign the midfielder, the English champions would have to meet his 70 million Euro release fee.

Can Espanyol take advantage of Diego Costa's absence to finished in their deserved position at La Liga table — La Liga table 2018-2019 season

The scenario just highlights the difficulties facing Simeone.

Filipe Luis’ future at Atletico Madrid could take another turn, however, after the player who for so long looked set to leave, began to reconsider his decision and now could stay at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

The player, his agent Jorge Mendes, and Miguel Angel Gil will sit down in the coming days to reach a conclusion one way or another.

Incomings are being considered, it must be said.

Porto centre-back Felipe Monteiro is reportedly close to becoming Simeone’s first signing ahead of the summer transfer window.

There have already been advanced negotiations between the two parties, but the agreement will not be announced before the Portuguese side’s last game on May 25.

One thing that’s certain is that as long as they have Simeone, Atletico have a chance.

Last weekend’s victory over Real Valladolid was his 180th in La Liga with Los Rojiblancos in his 285th game in charge.

With it, he surpassed the late, great Johan Cruyff’s 179 Barcelona victories and in 15 fewer matches, with the Dutchman doing so in 300 games.

Simeone has also lost fewer games: 45, compared to Cruyff’s 53.

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Serie A

In fact, only two coaches in LaLiga history have won more games in charge of the same team. Luis Aragones collected 194 with Atletico, though in 407 games, and Miguel Munoz enjoyed 257 with Real Madrid.

Beyond the results, Simeone’s impact has been felt at his club in a way that few men who occupy football’s benches can claim. The Argentine has completely transformed Atletico, allowing them to consistently dine at European football’s top table where they will return next season.

Their European hopes now over, Espanyol have lost 25 points from winning positions this term and Atletico should be too strong.

History

An Antoine Griezmann penalty settled the encounter earlier in the season. That was the only goal of the game at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Last season, Espanyol clinched a memorable double over Simeone’s men.

They won 2-0 in Madrid, thanks to an own goal and Leo Baptistao, while Sergio Garcia’s late goal won the corresponding fixture.

They remain Espanyol’s only victories over Atletico since 2013.

Overall, Atletico have triumphed in 13 of their top-flight clashes, with Espanyol winning nine and the other six ending as draws.

Betting Tip

	Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid	Atletico Madrid Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.17
	May 4, 22:15 (GMT+8)

La Liga 2019 betting odds edge towards Atletico as expected, but it’s closer than you may think.

1X2 odds price them @ 2.17 to win with the hosts @ 3.30 and the draw also @ 3.30.

If you fancy the home side to be leading at the break, you will find attractive odds of First Half 1X2 Espanyol @ 4.30, although the same bet for Atletico @ 2.86 is also pretty tempting.

Asian Handicap betting is where my tip stems from and my *** bet is Asian Handicap -0.50 Atletico @ 2.17.

If Espanyol are to repeat last season’s heroics then how about Asian Handicap Espanyol +0.25 @ 2.07 or an exact repeat – correct score 1-0 – @ 9.00.

Another Atletico success by one goal -correct score 0-1 – will payout @ 5.80.

This fixture has often produced goals or been very tight and that is reflected in total goal 0-1 @ 2.64, total goal 2-3 @ 1.91 and total goal 4-6 @ 4.60, while over 2.25 goals is available @ 2.04.