Atlético to seal three points in easy opener
Valencia vs. Atlético Madrid (Monday 20 August, 19.00 BST)
Atlético looked well up for it against cross-town rival Real in mid-week, eventually clinching the UEFA Super Cup in a raucous extra-time goal hammering which saw them win 4-2. Their opening fixture away to Valencia is a top 4 sizzler that’s a great way to kick off the season and even better for Monday night viewing. Even better I’ve got solid odds on favourites Atlético to win.
Valencia
Emerging from a 2017/18 season that saw them finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League this year, Valencia fans finally have something to shout about after a few hard years behind them.
They’ve retained most of the players who shone last year such as Parejo, Gaya, Rodrigo and Kondogbia and have also bought in Dane Daniel Wass from Celta Vigo who will give them a much needed boost in attack.
Atlético will have too much for them
But the price of success is fighting on three fronts in this campaign and it will definitely stretch Valencia thin. Although this early in the season they don’t need to worry so much about that and can fully concentrate on La Liga. Still having said that I think Atletico will have too much for them. Valencia are certainly not to be underestimated but they’ve had an average pre-season against mixed teams that screams they’re waiting for their added extras to bed in.
Head to Head
2017/18 | V - AM: 0-0 | AM - V: 1-0 |
2016/17 | V - AM: 0-2 | AM - V: 3-0 |
2015/16 | AM - V: 2-1 | V - AM: 1-3 |
Atlético have succeeded in 8 of the last 9 meetings in La Liga
Atlético Madrid
Having managed to achieve two key things before the La Liga season has even started that has been absent in recent years puts Atlético in good stead. First off and most importantly, they managed to see off predators from poaching their best players which has been a perennial and persistent problem in recent years, and has seen their efforts to improve consistently destabilised. Secondly, they’ve improved on last year’s squad, strengthening an already solid core team of talented individuals.
With the likes of Griezmann, Diego Costa, Saúl and Koke performing in top gear after a tough World Cup campaign, they were able to kick their season off in stunning fashion with the UEFA Super Cup.
I think they’ll keep the same core team for their match against Valencia and bounce on from that victory against their bitter rivals to seal three points on the coast at Valencia.
Match Tips
Valencia should have another positive season in La Liga, but Atlético are solid title challengers who have been repeated tested at the top level. They emerge from pre-season with a squad packed full of talent, tenacity and more experience than ever to get the job done.
With odds of over 2 and a half times the money I think the bookies are slightly overestimating Valencia, and I’m here to take full advantage. I’ve found great odds with betway of 8/5 (2.6)
