Relegation-threatened Cordoba are seeking to end their nine-match losing streak at home to Atletico Madrid on Saturday evening.

The defending La Liga champions are the heavy favourites to win this fixture, but their patchy away form makes this a tantalising game.

Cordoba

Cordoba remarkably only find themselves seven points adrift at the foot of the table despite their woeful form, and retain hopes of staying in Spain's top flight.

The team haven't earned a point since they drew with Eibar in January, and haven't won a game since a 1-0 win away at Rayo Vallecano a few days before.

Last time out they had three men sent off as they lost 3-1 to David Moyes's resurgent Real Sociedad, and another defeat will see them equal the league's second-longest run of consecutive losses.

Manager Miroslav Djukic paid the ultimate price for their poor form when he was sacked last month. The team have yet to find a permanent replacement, which means that caretaker boss Jose Antonio Romero remains in charge.

However, there are some positives for the minnows. In their remaining 10 games they mainly play teams in the bottom half of the table, including both Granada and Levante, who are currently placed directly above them.

At home, they may only have won one game but they have made life hard for some of the league's bigger hitters such as Real Madrid, where they lost 2-1, and Valencia.

Recent form: LLLLLL

Atletico Madrid

It was always going to be a tough task for Diego Simeone to mastermind a La Liga title for a second straight year, and so it has proven.

Although they sit just nine points behind table-toppers Barcelona, Atletico Madrid's primary aim will be to confirm qualification for next season's Champions League between now and the end of the season in May.

The Mattress Makers are currently locked in an intense fight with Valencia over third spot, while they are still not clear of Sevilla and Villarreal behind.

Although it is difficult to imagine them finishing outside of the Champions League places, they will be keen to finish third and not be forced into a playoff next August.

It is clear that Atleti's problems this season lie away from home, as they have found the net less than any other team in the top six on their travels. They are without an away win since the end of January and have claimed just six victories on the road all season, which is seven fewer than they managed in total last year.

This is in stark contrast to their fabulous home record, which is currently the best in the entire division.

Goals have been harder to come by for them as well, as strikers Mario Mandzukic and Fernando Torres have failed to fully replace Diego Costa, who left for Chelsea last summer.

Their run-in is full of awkward games against the likes of Real Sociedad and Villarreal, while their game with Barcelona on May 17 could be crucial.

Recent form: LWDDDW
Recent form (all competitions): WDDDWW

Team News

Cordoba will be forced into changes for the clash, as they have three players suspended after their red cards against Real Sociedad.

Centre-backs Aleksandar Pantic and Inigo Lopez are banned, as is left-back Dani Pinillos.

This will force Romero into a defensive shake-up, and he may have to field defensive midfielder Luso as a makeshift centre-back.

Experienced full-back Jose Angel Crespo is expected to start in place of Pinillos, while Iago Bouzon could also feature.

Atletico are still without centre-back Miranda after his red card against Espanyol two weeks ago, so Jose Giminez, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, could partner Diego Godin again.

Young midfielder Saul Niguez is back in contention after injury and is expected to be named on the bench.

Cordoba possible starting lineup:
Carlos, Ferradj, Luso, Bouzon, Crespo, Zuculini, Krhin, Bebe, Borja, Heldon, Aldone.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Sotiriou, Juanfran, Godin, Giminez, Siqueira, Turan, Tiago, Fernandez, Koke, Griezmann, Mandzukic.

Head To Head

Antoine Griezmann has been Atletico's star of the season, and he scored twice in a comfortable 4-2 win for his team over Cordoba in November.

Mandzukic and Raul Garcia also scored, while Nabil Ghilas scored twice for the league's bottom side.

Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: Cordoba 0-2 Atletico Madrid

Although Atletico haven't won away in over two months, we back them to do the double over Cordoba and heap more misery on Jose Antonio Romero's team.

Cordoba may have made life difficult for a few teams in their backyard, but with three first-team defenders missing it's hard to see them stopping Griezmann and co on Saturday.