Atletico Madrid v Getafe: La Liga betting preview & free tip

9pm Sunday

Getafe defied expectations last season to finish fifth in La Liga, claiming a spot in the Europa League, and they can make life difficult for Atletico Madrid in the opening weekend of the season.

The home side's sale of €120million striker Antoine Griezmann may have caught all the headlines but they have had their entire back line reshaped as well.

The bedrock of their defence, Diego Godin, has joined Inter Milan and was followed out the exit door by Filipe Luis, Juanfran, Lucas Hernandez and holding midfielder Rodri.

All of those players were key to the defensive system Diego Simeone has championed in the Spanish capital and they could be vulnerable at the back in the season's early stages.

New additions Felipe, Kieran Trippier and Mario Hermoso are solid defenders in isolation but could take time to gel and Getafe should fancy their chances of scoring.

The visitors drew a blank in just five away matches last term - only Barcelona had a better record with three goalless trips - and they have retained the services of last season's top scorers Jaime Mata and Jorge Molina, who both hit 16 goals.

Even with Griezmann gone, Atletico should not be short of goals.

Diego Costa looked sharp as he put away four goals in the 7-3 thumping of Real Madrid in pre-season, while €126m signing Joao Felix is a livewire.

Bookmakers, however, do not seem to have factored in the overhaul in defensive personnel at the Wanda Metropolitano and backing both teams to score looks the best approach.

Recommendation
Both teams to score
2pts 6-4 Hills

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