Atletico revenge for the first-round defeat?
Atletico Madrid are going from strength to strength these weeks. Supercup, two Copa del Rey games, league games in between and afterwards – there’s no breathing space for coach Diego Simeone’s team. After Atletico celebrated reaching the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup in front of their own fans on Thursday, the next home game is already on the agenda on Sunday
As part of the 22nd matchday in La Liga, Atletico face Valencia FC on Sunday evening at 9pm, once again at home in the Civitas Metropolitano, where Atletico have recently celebrated two important victories in the cup and are still unbeaten in La Liga. In view of this, it is understandable that the odds for Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia are in favor of the home side
Atletico will not only want to take the euphoria from the cup with them, but will certainly also be out for revenge and redemption: Because in the first half of the season, they suffered their heaviest defeat of the season against Valencia CF.
What is the starting position, what form do both teams have and how did the last duels end? Find out in this preview of Atletico Madrid vs Valencia, including betting odds, predictions and interesting betting tips
Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form
The mood at Atletico Madrid will certainly be excellent, as the Rojiblancos have celebrated three wins in a row – two of which were particularly emotional and important, the two in the cup. Against arch-rivals Real Madrid, coach Simeone’s team celebrated a 4:2 victory after extra time in the round of 16 – after all, victories against their city rivals have not been particularly frequent of late, especially not in knockout matches.
On Thursday, the Rojiblancos made it through to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey: it was tough for a long time against Sevilla FC, but in the end the Rojiblancos won a hard-fought and late 1-0 home victory. The 1-0 league win at basement side Granada between the two cup games was also hard-fought
Atletico Madrid as a home power – but with a vulnerable defense
The third home game in ten days is now coming up on Sunday. Atletico have shown impressively that the Metropolitano is a fortress – they have not lost at home so far this season. Nine wins in ten games in La Liga and Atleti have also won all of their home games in the Champions League.
In view of this, the bet on a home win for Atletico Madrid against Valencia seems very obvious. If you’re also looking for higher odds than the average of 1.50 available in the three-way for Atletico Madrid vs Valencia, you should take a look at the fact that the Rojiblancos could win the game and concede a goal.
Of their 15 home games in all competitions, they have conceded a goal in ten of them. They have not kept a clean sheet as often as Diego Simeone’s team used to. Not even in the Metropolitano fortress.
Predicted Atletico Madrid line-up:
Valencia – Statistics & current form
What also speaks for a goal against Atletico: the form of Valencia FC! The bats travel to Madrid with four wins in a row, having recently beaten Rayo (1:0), Villarreal (3:1), Cadiz (4:1) and Athletic Bilbao (1:0).
The twelve points in a row have seen the bats climb to seventh place in the table, giving them a surprising sniff of the European places. This was not to be expected before the season, as coach Ruben Baraja’s team is not only extremely young, but was also deep in the relegation battle last season
Valencia in good form – double chance X/2 at Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia interesting
However, they have already managed nine wins in 21 games this season – just two fewer than in the whole of last season! Can the bats also upset Atletico and snatch points? Valencia know very well how to do this: the first meeting at the Mestalla was a clear-cut affair – for Valencia. The Baraja team won 3:0 at home in September, a resounding victory on matchday 5.
If you believe that the Valencians will score again, you will find strong odds of 2.70 on average for Atletico Madrid vs Valencia with the double chance X/2 bet
Predicted Valencia line-up:
Atletico Madrid – Valencia head-to-head comparison / H2H result
We’ve already anticipated it: The first clash of the season was an astonishingly clear-cut affair – 3:0 for Valencia. The bats managed their first win against Atletico in the first half of the season after 17 games without a treble.
This long black streak was thus ended and was all the more remarkable as this traditional Spanish duel is historically extremely evenly matched. This pairing has been played 185 times, with Atletico celebrating 73 victories and Valencia winning 63 games. 49 games ended in draws
Atletico Madrid – Valencia betting tip
Nobody will underestimate Valencia at Atletico – the 3-0 win in the first half of the season is warning enough, and the four wins in a row are also a small exclamation mark. Which also suggests that it could be a tough and tight affair on Sunday: Atletico have had a lot of English weeks in January, including a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup.
So a certain amount of fatigue is completely normal, the energy with which Simeone’s men usually play cannot be called upon every three days. Even against Sevilla in the cup on Thursday, there was very little of it compared to usual.
And on Sunday? It could be as tight as against Sevilla, where only a late goal secured the semi-final. A draw at the break, both teams scoring, over 2.5 goals being scored and Atleti winning by the narrowest of margins are all conceivable outcomes for this match.
Since there are very exciting odds on the latter outcome, our prediction for Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia is also: Atletico win and both teams score. Because home wins with goals conceded are the order of the day for the Rojiblancos this season
