Battle of the CL participants?
On Sunday evening at 9:30 pm, the most interesting game of the matchday will possibly take place at the end of matchday 2 in La Liga: Atletico Madrid will face FC Girona. It is the clash of the two Champions League participants, with last season’s fourth-placed team facing the (surprising) third-placed team. The bookmakers rate an Atletico Madrid win against Girona as likely with their prediction
Last season, both duels were highly interesting, and it can be assumed that Sunday will also be an exciting duel. Of course, this is also due to surprise team Girona, who are happy to play along and showed last week that they have coped well with the sell-out in the summer. Nevertheless, Atletico are favorites, as the betting odds for Atletico Madrid vs. Girona from betting providers with a German license show; after all, the Rojiblancos have invested heavily and also have a home game.
The capital side were a force at the Metropolitano last year, so the Atletico Madrid vs Girona betting tip for a home win is naturally a reflex reaction. However, the defensive fragility of last year was again evident in the first game of the season, and since Girona play a very fast-paced style of soccer, the home game should by no means be a foregone conclusion, but possibly a really exciting clash.
What bets are on offer, what can we expect from this match and what is currently going on at the clubs? We take a look at this in this preview of the Atletico Madrid vs Girona match, including betting tips, predictions, statistics and betting tips.
Atletico Madrid – stats & current form
An entertaining clash involving Atletico Madrid was already on show last week. The 2-2 draw at Villarreal was a particularly entertaining first half, with all four goals coming before the break.
Atletico once again showed in their first game of the season that their back line is rarely shaky, as was the case last year. No wonder, however, as five central defenders were released in the summer. In Robin Le Normand, however, a new defensive boss was brought in for over 30 million euros to finally stabilize things at the back
Ahead of Girona clash: Atletico Madrid sign Gallagher from Chelsea FC
A midfielder should also contribute to this: On Wednesday, Atletico announced the signing of Conor Gallagher, who joins from Chelsea FC for a good 40 million euros. The Englishman is expected to play a central defensive midfield role with strong running and tackling skills to ensure that the back line is more stable and less exposed in future.
Gallagher is the fourth big-name and expensive new signing after Le Normand, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sörloth – last season’s second-best goalscorer also scored directly in the season opener at Villarreal. With a revamped squad full of reinforcements, Atletico want to attack the top of the table again and compete for titles. Last season’s title-less campaign and 4th place in the table was inadequate.
After the 2-2 draw in Villarreal, they will be aiming for a three-pointer at home, and the bookmakers with the best betting apps show that Atletico are the favorites for this outcome when looking at the Atletico Madrid vs Girona odds. Possibly not to nil again though – despite Le Normand and Gallagher.
Predicted line-up of Atletico Madrid:
Girona – Statistics & current form
While Atletico have been upgrading, Girona have been downsizing – last season’s stellar campaign has taken its toll. Girona had a big sell-off: top scorer Artem Dovbyk (Roma), winger Savinho (ManCity), midfield strategist Aleix Garcia (Leverkusen), right-back Yan Couto (BVB) and central defender Eric Garcia (back to Barcelona) all left the club. However, these serious weaknesses in all parts of the team did not show at all on matchday 1, as Girona played some lively soccer again and drew respectably 1-1 at Real Betis – not a bad result to start with
Atletico vs. Girona: Betting on both can be worthwhile
Girona would certainly sign another draw at Atletico, as the Catalans have to play their second difficult game in a row. However, Girona will definitely not hide away at the Civitas Metropolitano, as that is not in line with coach Míchel’s understanding and style of play. However, his personal record against Atletico is not particularly rosy, with five defeats in seven games, one win and one draw.
Nevertheless, it is safe to assume that Girona will upset the favorites. If only because Atletico themselves are all too often vulnerable at the back – especially in home games. Atletico conceded goals in 14 of their 19 home games last season. At the same time, Girona were the third most dangerous visiting team away from home with 32 away goals. We therefore expect goals from both sides.
Predicted Girona line-up:
Atletico Madrid – Girona head-to-head comparison / H2H record
Eight of the last ten matches have resulted in goals for both sides. It is therefore safe to target the Atletico Madrid vs Girona odds on both sides. 33 goals were scored in these ten games – an average of three goals per game. The over 2.5 is therefore also statistically obvious.
And as I said: Girona like to play forward, Atletico are not always solid at the back. However, the Rojiblancos have won four of their last five matches. Girona’s wild 4:3 win in January last season is a good example of the great exchanges the two sides can have. Including the winning goal in stoppage time
Atletico Madrid – Girona betting tip
We can expect a lively game when these two meet. FC Girona will be the small underdog – which they are more than ever due to the many departures – but they will certainly not be hiding, for Atletico, of course, only a home win counts.
All the expensive reinforcements alone make Atletico the clear favorites, in addition to last season’s home strength (16S, 1U, 2N). It remains to be seen how many new signings will start on Sunday, of course, but the direction is clear
Since Girona will be involved and goals are often and readily scored in this pairing, we can well imagine Atletico winning at home by conceding or scoring over 2.5 goals in total. Our Atletico Madrid vs Girona prediction is therefore aimed at the former – because as mentioned, Atletico were a bank at home last season, but almost always won by conceding a goal.
