On Saturday afternoon, third-tier CD Lugo will look to cause a shock in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey as they welcome Atletico Madrid to the Estadio Anxo Carro.
Lugo form guideThe home team’s priority this season is a return to the Segunda after they suffered relegation from the second tier last season. However, a victory over a team like Atletico in the Copa would undoubtedly lift the spirits of everybody connected with the club.
Unfortunately for Ludo, they are facing the visitors on a poor run of form after back-to-back defeats against Cornelia and Celta Vigo ll.
Their recent games have been tight, low-scoring affairs, with under 2.5 goals scored in their previous seven competitive games.
Ludo has got to this stage of the competition by recording back-to-back wins over Antoniano and Mirandes, having kept clean sheets in both of the losses.
Atletico Madrid form guideDiego Simeone’s team suffered a last-gasp 4-3 defeat at Girona last time out in an epic encounter. The loss means that Los Colchoneros have now won just once in their previous four matches in all competitions.
The Girona game saw Atletico’s poor recent defensive record continue, as they have now conceded at least two goals in three of their last four matches.
Atletico has not yet featured in this season's Copa del Rey. A 3-1 defeat against arch-rivals Real Madrid in last season's quarter-finals was their previous outing in the competition.
The loss ended the visitors' four-game winning run in the Copa del Rey. Atletico had also scored at least two goals in each of the Copa wins while conceding just once in the run.
What am I backing?Atletico may not be in the best of form, but they should have more than enough quality to see off their third-tier rivals. If you are looking for a bet that offers slightly better value than the away win, back under 2.5 goals.
