Atletico Madrid Seeks to Extend Winning Streak and Take LaLiga Lead

Atletico Madrid is poised to take the top spot in LaLiga as Real Madrid and Barcelona compete in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Atletico Madrid is poised to seize the top spot in LaLiga, capitalizing on the absence of Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are currently in Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup. With a 13-game winning streak across all competitions, Diego Simeone's side is confident of securing a crucial victory against visiting Osasuna on Sunday. A win would propel Atletico to the top of the table, surpassing Los Blancos by a point at the halfway mark of the league campaign.

Another victory for Atletico Madrid would be a significant milestone, putting them six points clear of Barcelona, who had dominated the table for much of the first half of the season before experiencing a slump in November and December.

Atletico Madrid's impressive form under Diego Simeone has only led to them finishing as “winter champions” once before, in the 2021/22 season, when they ultimately won the title. Their current winning streak is the joint best in the club's history, matching a similar run in 2012, early in Simeone's tenure.

The Rojiblancos have been nearly unbeatable in the top flight this season, suffering only one loss, against Real Betis in October. Since then, they have been on a tear, winning seven consecutive LaLiga games, keeping four clean sheets, scoring 17 goals, and conceding only five.

Argentine midfielder De Paul has played a vital role in Atletico Madrid's resurgence, showcasing his goalscoring prowess with three strikes in his last four top-flight games. Notably, he scored in the dramatic 2-1 win over title rivals Barcelona before the winter break.

Atletico Madrid's attack has been bolstered by the presence of Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, who appear to be Diego Simeone's preferred strike force. Additionally, Alexander Sorloth has consistently made a significant impact from the bench, scoring the winner against Barcelona and emerging as the team's top scorer with eight league goals despite starting just seven games.

Following the winter break, Simeone emphasized the need for continuous improvement, stating, “The team has been growing, some games it's played better and others have been harder - we need to keep improving.” Characteristically, Simeone refrained from discussing his team's title chances, opting to focus on a game-by-game approach.

See you soon, @RCD_MallorcaEN 👋 pic.twitter.com/Hzegcesg8W

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 10, 2025

As Atletico Madrid prepares to face Osasuna, who are currently 10th in the league, Simeone is aware that his opponents may employ a different strategy to counter his team's momentum. Osasuna might switch to a five-man defence in an attempt to stifle Atletico's attacking prowess.

On Monday, Real Sociedad will host Villarreal in a highly anticipated matchup between two top-tier teams. This encounter promises to be an exciting clash, pitting two skilled sides against each other.

Villarreal, currently fifth in the standings, has established itself as one of the most entertaining teams in the division. However, their defensive vulnerabilities have been a concern, with the team conceding 30 goals – the highest tally among the top 15 teams.

Real Sociedad, sitting seventh in the table, will be eager to capitalize on Villarreal's defensive struggles and secure three crucial points. A win would help Real Sociedad narrow the gap with the teams above them, following a sluggish start to the season.