Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is expected to restore many of his first-team regulars for their La Liga trip to struggling Elche on Saturday.

The Spanish champions rested many of their high-profile names for the 3-0 Copa del Rey first-leg victory over third-tier L'Hospitalet in midweek.

Antoine Greizmann came off the bench to get the ball rolling for Atletico in the second half and is one of 10 players who could be recalled this weekend.

Jose Giminez is the only one of the 11 starters who are likely to feature from the off against Elche, with Saul Niguez, Alessio Cerci, Cristian Rodriguez, Guilherme Siqueira and Mario Suarez among those missing out.

Miranda remains injured, but captain Gabi is available again after suspension and will return in midfield alongside Koke and Tiago as Madrid go in search of a third straight win, which could briefly take them second.

While they have been imperious at the Vicente Calderon this term, Atletico have already dropped eight points on the road and cannot afford many more away slip-ups if they are to keep up with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

However, Simeone will be hopeful that an Elche side who have won just one of their last 10 games and sit second from bottom in the table will cause them few problems at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero.

Fran Escriba's side were also in cup action in midweek - holding Real Valladolid to a 0-0 stalemate - but they have only kept one clean sheet in the league this season and their 27 goals conceded is the second highest.

Six changes were made for their trip to Valladolid and so Escriba could bring David Lomban, Victor Rodriguez, and six-goal top scorer Jonathas back into his team to face a side whom they have never beaten.

Elche:

Form in La Liga: LLWDDL
Form in all competitions: LWDDLD

Possible starting lineup: Tyton; Suarez, Lomban, Cisma, Pelegrin; Mosquera, Gonzalez, Victor Rodriguez, Fajr; Herrera, Jonathas

Atletico:

Form in La Liga: WWWLWW
Form in all competitions: WLWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Giminez, Ansaldi; Tiago, Koke, Garcia; Griezmann, Turan, Mandzukic

Sports Mole says: 1-3