If Atletico Madrid’s season hasn’t hit the heights expected of it prior to the start of the campaign, los Colchoneros certainly don’t start 2011 with their objectives in tatters. The capital side have aspirations of Champions League football next season, and only two points behind fourth placed Valencia, there can be little doubt that the Rojiblancos are still in that mix.
For a period, Atleti’s season seemed to be becoming tattered. Defeats against Espanyol and Levante as winter closed in were quickly followed by a shock elimination from the Europa League, but Quique Sanchez Flores’ side bounced back well, winning crucial fixtures in the league, defeating Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga with some confidence to finish a memorable year on a high.
January is poised to be a busy month off the field for Atletico, who have already off-loaded Nacho Camacho and Sergio Asenjo to Malaga, but players are also bound to be brought into the side over the course of the next four weeks. Though they boast a relatively impressive defensive record, having lost only 19 goals this season, it is the back four that is the cause for the most major concern.
Having rattled three goals past los Boquerones in their concluding league fixture of 2010, there would appear to be little wrong with the offensive unit, though Tiago and Alvaro Dominguez did make for rather surprising scorers. Diego Forlan has not hit his best this season, and the Uruguayan’s form could be the difference between success and failure for los Colchoneros this term.
Tightening Up
Miguel Angel Portugal’s Racing Santander side were expected to be involved in the relegation scrap this season, but though they occupy a lower mid-table spot, los Verdiblancos are a side who have recently hinted at an ability to avoid the worst of the storm. Five points clear of the red zone, los Montaneses may not score many goals, but they’ve shown an ability to get results.
The fixture computer was particularly rough on the Cantabrian side in the early stages of the season, when they were pitted against many of Spain’s biggest names, but once into the meat of the campaign they’ve started to fare better. Against similarly sized clubs, Racing have earned some decent results of late, losing only one of their last four fixtures.
A scoreless draw against Hercules at home was a low-key manner with which to end 2010, and it was not an entirely pleasing spectacle for Portugal. “The best thing to do is wish everyone a happy holiday and leave it at that, as no one really liked what they saw,” he explained to the media. "We had every intention to fight for the three points, as we were playing at home, but it did not go well. There are matches when you do well and others when everything goes against you.”
If the offence isn’t clicking in a manner to satisfy Portugal, at least the defence is looking in a stronger state. Three clean sheets in their last four matches suggests good form, and if such resilience can be maintained over an extended period there will be no relegation threat to Racing.
TEAM NEWS
Atletico
Diego Forlan needs a late check on an ankle problem. Diego Costa is ready to start if the Uruguayan is not deemed fit. Jose Antonio Reyes won't feature.
Racing
Edu Bedia is expected to sign on Monday, but not in time to come into consideration for this fixture.
Tono and Gonzalo Colsa were both withdrawn early from training this week and aren't certain to play.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid’s form may be a little erratic, but at the Vicente Calderon they’ve generally been pretty steady this season, winning five of their eight fixtures. Though Racing won their last road game of 2010, they’ve been poor on their travels this season and cannot go into this game a fancied side.
Atletico Madrid 3-1 Racing 
