Atletico Madrid begin their push for the La Liga crown with a tricky away trip to Espanyol on Sunday evening. Diego Simeone’s men will look to set the tone early for the 2025-26 season. Los Colchoneros ended last campaign in third place, 12 points adrift of Barcelona, and will be aiming to close that gap this year.
Meanwhile, Espanyol barely scraped survival in 2024-25, finishing 14th and just two points above the relegation zone. Espanyol endured an inconsistent campaign last term, recording 11 wins, nine draws, and 18 defeats, but their late push ensured safety. This summer has seen significant squad movement with nine new arrivals having been confirmed. Espanyol’s pre-season was positive, as they won four of their six friendlies.
IT’S MATCHDAY ❤️🤍
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 17, 2025
Our first @LaLigaEN game of the new season 💪 pic.twitter.com/LyUC49n73s
Here are the Odds to First Goal Scorer and Anytime Goalscorer for Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid (via BetMGM):
| Player | Anytime Scorer Odds | First Goal Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Alvarez | +110 | +300 |
| Antoine Griezmann | +210 | +525 |
| Thiago Almada | +290 | +725 |
| Roberto Fernandez | +350 | +1050 |
| Javi Puado | +360 | +1150 |
For Atletico, the mission this season will be clear: to compete toe-to-toe with Barcelona and Real Madrid in the title race. Simeone’s side will look to build on their third-place finish by tightening up defensively and capitalizing on the firepower at their disposal. Griezmann, Alvarez and Almada offer the most reliable goal threats for Atletico, with Simeone expected to deploy a proactive attacking lineup. Atletico’s attack should prove too much for the Espanyol back line to handle here. Meanwhile, Espanyol’s best chance likely rests with striker Roberto Fernandez and forward Javi Puado.
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(Odds via ~ BetMGM):
| Player | Team | Anytime Scorer Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Baena | Atletico Madrid | +240 |
| Koke | Atletico Madrid | +1050 |
| Edu Exposito | Espanyol | +1500 |
| Sergi Darder Roca | Espanyol | +850 |
| Lozano | Espanyol | +2500 |
These names represent higher-value anytime goal picks. Midfielders like Exposito or Koke could spring a surprise with late runs or set-piece opportunities.
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(Odds via ~ BetMGM):
| Total Goals Market | Over Odds | Under Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Over 0.5 | -1600 | +775 |
| Over 1.5 | -300 | +220 |
| Over 2.5 | -110 | -130 |
| Over 3.5 | +230 | -350 |
| Over 4.5 | +550 | -1000 |
| Over 5.5 | +1200 | -5000 |
| Over 6.5 | +2500 | – |
This match has all the makings of a high-scoring affair. Atletico Madrid boast a potent frontline with Griezmann, Alvarez, and Almada, while Espanyol’s summer reinforcements like Roberto Fernandez give them extra attacking bite. Given Atletico’s attacking depth and Espanyol’s ability to cause problems at home, backing Over 2.5 Goals looks a strong play.
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