The Rojiblancos made it into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 1997 with a 5-1
aggregate victory over Milan on Tuesday, sealed by a 4-1 scoreline on the night, but must quickly turn their
attention back to the Primera Division title race.
Simeone's charges currently sit second, three points adrift of city rivals Real, having leapfrogged third-placed Barcelona - now one point behind Atleti - last weekend.
It is Barca's neighbours who visit the Vicente Calderon on Saturday, but Atleti will be wary of Espanyol, as the Catalans are one of only four teams to have beaten them so far this season.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois inadvertently put the ball in his own net as the Rojiblancos were upset 1-0 at the Estadi Cornella El Prat in October.
Dauntingly for this weekend's visitors, though, Atleti are yet to lose on home soil in the league this season, scoring 43 goals in just 14 matches, while Espanyol have claimed just three wins on the road.
Diego Costa is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo in La Liga's goalscoring charts and found the net twice in midweek.
Javier Manquillo looks set to be the only injury concern for either side, as the Atletico man continues his recovery
from a fractured spine.
21:00 Atletico Madrid -: - Espanyol Week: 28
Vicente Calderon Stadium
12 ° C
Home match
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