Atletico to be miserable opponents for Valencia
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid welcome Albert Celades’ Valencia to the Wanda Metropolitano having kept five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions. Three points and five places separate the two teams with The Mattress Makers’ recent run pushing them up to third in the table behind Barcelona and Real Madrid with Valencia in eighth sitting one point behind the European spots. Following the international break both sides might have next weeks Champions League group games at the back of their minds having registered one win from their opening two encounters in that competition.
Recent form
Atletico are known in La Liga and Europe for being extremely strong defensively, and they have recently proven that they can sustain that reputation in the post-Diego Godin era. They have endured three 0-0s and two 2-0s in their last five including their last two home games against Celta Vigo and Real Madrid respectively.
The head-to-head record spells bad news for Valencia who have failed to beat The Mattress Makers since 2014, losing six times and drawing thrice. A statistic that will surely breathe confidence through the heart of Simeone’s troops. Saturday’s hosts have also won the last four times they have hosted The Oranges.
Fresh-faced Atleti
After the high-profile departures of many long serving players this summer, Simeone had to rebuild and in the process has acquired a youthful feel to the squad that it has not had for some years. The headline deal was the signature of Joao Felix from Benfica, the 19-year-old joined for £113.4 million and is looked to as a direct replacement for Antoine Griezmann. A new set of full backs was needed as well, with Juanfran, 34, and Felipe Luis, 33, both departing for the Brazilian top flight. In came Tottenham Hotspur’s Kieran Trippier and 21-year-old Renan Lodi to sure things up. Nine signings came through the door altogether suggesting this could be a transitional period, with sides like Valencia looking to pounce and break into the top three, but they have started reasonably well given the circumstances.
The head-to-head pattern will continue at the Wanda Metropolitano and Madrid will get the win in an entertaining match as they look to kick on once more against a domestic rival.
Atletico Madrid – Valencia Betting Tip
Atletico Madrid to Win with Betfair at odds of 8/13.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Diego Costa's opener from the penalty spot was cancelled out by Dani Parejo on 82 minutes as ten man Valencia held on for a point.