Cornella vs Atletico Madrid Prediction

Luis Suarez had a first-half assist and stoppage-time winner for Atletico Madrid on Sunday, away against a Deportivo Alaves side six minutes away from a big result.

This season's La Liga leaders travel to third-tier side Cornella next, as their Copa del Rey adventure features another away trip after cruising past CD Cardassar in mid-December.

Will this latest encounter provide comfortable viewing for Diego Simeone? Read my match preview, for the correct score predictions and best betting tips ahead of this fixture.

Cornella vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips

This time last year, Atletico enjoyed narrow wins over Levante and Barcelona (Super Cup).

Afterwards, they endured a frustrating five-match winless run across all competitions, including a shock 2-1 (AET) loss away at Cultural Leonesa in R3 of last season's Copa del Rey.

Julen Castaneda Nuin and Sergio Benito's goals were a hammer blow to a side that featured Saul Niguez, Marcos Llorente, Angel Correa and Joao Felix others. Goalkeeper Lucas Giffard was the hosts' Man of the Match, making a whopping nine saves over 120 minutes.

They produced a giant killing. Whether it's Juan Manuel Santaella's goalkeeper or first-choice league 'keeper Ramon Juan, Cornella's goalkeeper will be under similar duress for sustained periods here.

That's part of the territory when hosting a big side, not least Spain's top team right now.

Today, news reports suggest that Arsenal will recall Atletico loanee Lucas Torreira, though the midfielder's best display so far this season was against Cardassar in R1.

He had 111 completed passes (93.3% success), five duels won, three key passes and one assist last month, impressing a rare start for the Uruguay international. He should start, alongside £13.5m signing Geoffrey Kondogbia and Saul Niguez in Simeone's midfield trio.

Cornella vs Atletico Madrid Correct Score Predictions

Just like Burgos-Espanyol, this midweek cup tie is the first H2H matchup between these two teams.

Simeone is likely to rotate heavily after their Sunday win, providing fringe players opportunities to impress as the business end of a promising campaign awaits.

I think Cornella will relish a challenge against top opposition but ultimately prove no match for Atletico's collective quality in what should be a comfortable away display here.