Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid: La Liga Prediction (18.08.2025)

On August 18, 2025, at 02:30 WIB, in the opening round of the Spanish La Liga, in the suburbs of Barcelona, Espanyol will face Atlético Madrid. Bookmakers consider the visitors the clear favorites. Let’s examine the current form of both teams and provide our prediction for this match.

Espanyol

Last season, the Parakeets fought for survival until the very last round. Only a victory in their final match allowed them to remain in the top tier of Spanish football. Before that, the team had endured a streak of five consecutive defeats. To a large extent, Espanyol stayed afloat thanks to the efforts of their goalkeeper Joan García, who was one of the team’s best players last season. However, he will not help his teammates this year, having been sold to Barcelona for €25 million.

As for signings, the club has not been very active in the transfer market. The most notable acquisition so far is Roberto Fernández from Braga, who had already played for the Parakeets on loan.

Atlético Madrid

This season, it will be especially interesting to follow the Colchoneros. Diego Simeone now has a significantly refreshed squad at his disposal. Over the summer, the club carried out a powerful transfer campaign, bringing in players who have already proven their quality and earned the move to a top club. Among the newcomers are: Raspadori, Gantzko, Pubill, Almada, Cardoso, Baena, and Ruggeri.

If Atlético Madrid aims to compete for trophies, the upcoming match against Espanyol is a perfect chance to start with a win. The opponent is not in great form and lacks notable reinforcements. Meanwhile, the Colchoneros have everything — resources and a coach who knows how to use them effectively.

Head-to-Head Statistics

Despite the on-paper advantage, the Parakeets have been tricky opponents for the Colchoneros. The last four meetings in a row between the two sides ended in draws.

Prediction

For Espanyol vs Atlético Madrid, the prediction is in favor of the visitors. Despite the head-to-head record, the difference in class between the two teams has grown significantly. Given the many new faces, a large-margin victory for Atlético is unlikely. The game will likely feature heavy midfield battles, and as an opening fixture, it may lack high tempo and fluid combinations. Still, on quality alone, the Colchoneros should take this match. Therefore, we recommend betting on an Atlético Madrid win at odds of 1.58.