Overview

• Atletico enter the midweek round nine points behind leaders Real Madrid, a gap highlighted as potentially growing if results do not improve.
• Recent form includes a 1-1 draw at Mallorca in which Julian Alvarez missed a penalty and Alexander Sorloth was sent off.
• Defensive concerns persist, with reporting noting Atletico have not led LaLiga defensively since 2020/21 and are conceding about 1.33 goals per game in all competitions.
• Team news lists Sorloth suspended and injuries to Jose Maria Gimenez, Alex Baena, Thiago Almada and Johnny Cardoso, with returns not expected until October for several.
• Previews expect Antoine Griezmann to feature and tip a low-scoring game, with markets including Atletico to win to nil (SBK 11/8), under 2.5 goals (Betfred evens) and Griezmann anytime (bet365 7/4); kickoff is 8:30pm BST at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Premier Sports 1.