Has Atlético already digested the cup defeat?
The last few weeks could hardly have gone worse for Atlético Madrid. The “Rojiblancos” have not only withdrawn from the championship race after a slump in form in the Spanish top flight, but have also suffered bitter setbacks in the Super Cup and the Copa del Rey.
In the Spanish cup competition, they lost to Real Sociedad in the round of 16 during the week. Atlético thus bowed out of the Copa and no longer has a realistic chance of winning a trophy on the national stage. Nevertheless, the league competition is still of great importance, as last year’s champions are fighting for the right to compete in the top flight.
Equal on points with their recent cup rivals from San Sebastian, Atlético Madrid are currently in fourth place and have 33 points to their name. The “Rojiblancos” have a home game against Valencia FC in La Liga on Saturday evening.
In the first half of the season, Atlético squandered a win against Saturday’s opponents in the closing stages. If the hosts from Madrid manage to get the maximum points this time, odds of 1.48 are paid out for Atletico Madrid vs. This is supported by the recent home record against Valencia.
Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form
Just three weeks ago, Atlético had ended their current run of defeats in the Spanish top flight. Since then, last year’s champions from Madrid have suffered one setback after another. In the league, Simeone & Co. were defeated by Villarreal, followed by defeats against Bilbao (1:2) and Real Sociedad (0:2).
The defeat against the Basque representatives from San Sebastian was particularly serious. At least Atlético had to say goodbye to the Copa del Rey. Until the end of the season, priority is now given to the league competition and the top flight. In La Liga, only one starting place in the top flight has to be defended.
On Saturday evening, the Rojiblancos face Valencia FC at home in the Spanish top flight. Despite their recent run of form, the Madrid hosts are considered favourites, partly due to their home record at the Wanda Metropolitano. In nine home games, there has been a record of 5-3-1.
Will the series against Valencia be extended?
It is quite possible that this series will be extended at the Wanda Metropolitano next weekend. The record against Saturday’s opponents from Valencia also speaks in favour of this. The “Rojiblancos” have won five of the last six home games against the bats. The last time there was a home defeat against Valencia FC was almost eleven years ago.
In the first half of the current season, Atlético only narrowly missed a win against their league rivals. It was only in injury time that head coach Simeone’s team squandered the away win at the Estadio de Mestalla. Shortly before the final whistle, the “Rojiblancos” scored twice.
As in the cup match against Real Sociedad last week, “El Cholo” Simeone still has to deal with some serious absences for the upcoming home match in La Liga. Savic, Kondogbia, Llorente and Griezmann are currently on the Rojiblancos’ list due to injury. A starting eleven similar to the one at the Copa del Rey can therefore not be ruled out.
Predicted line-up of Atletico Madrid:
Oblak; Vrsaljko, Hermoso, Gimenez, Lodi; Lemar, De Paul, Koke, Carrasco; Suarez, Cunha
Last matches played by Atletico Madrid:
Copa del Rey
01/19 2022 – San Sebastian 2 – 0 Atletico Madrid
Super Cup
01/13 2022 – Atletico Madrid 1 – 2 Athletic Bilbao
LaLiga
01/09 2022 – Villarreal FC 2 – 2 Atletico Madrid
Copa del Rey
01/06 2022 – Rayo Majadahonda 0 – 5 Atletico Madrid
LaLiga
01/02 2022 – Atletico Madrid 2 – 0 Rayo Vallecano
Valencia – Statistics & current form
In contrast to Saturday’s opponents, Valencia FC have had a good week. In the Copa del Rey, the bats mastered the compulsory task against Baleares and thus entered the quarter-finals. They also earned a well-deserved point in a 1-1 draw against Sevilla FC in the league.
Against Atléti, the aim now is to underpin their recent run of form. The bats’ away form is particularly encouraging in this regard. Since October 2021, head coach Pepe Bordalás’ side have lost just one of their last eight away games across the competition.
Betting fans who want to bet on the visitors to win a point in Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia can get odds of up to 8.50 if they are successful. However, the bats will have to improve their defensive work. In the ten away games of the current league season, they have conceded an average of two goals per away game.
Next away debacle in Madrid?
The last time Valencia FC visited Madrid, just under a fortnight ago, they suffered a heavy away defeat at the hands of leaders Real Madrid, conceding as many as four goals in total. The result against Sevilla FC during the week was therefore all the more surprising, especially as the Andalusians are also among the favourites for the league title.
The bats will miss a total of six players for the away match on Saturday evening. Among them is Maxi Gómez, who is still in quarantine. Gaya will also be missing due to a red card. The Valencia captain was sent off in the closing stages against Sevilla FC and will therefore be unavailable against Atléti.
In his absence, Toni Lato is expected to fill the role at left-back. Otherwise, no major changes are expected for the visitors.
Predicted line-up of Valencia:
Domenech; Correia, Diakhaby, Alderete, Lato; Foulquier, Racic, Guillamon, Musah; Duro, Guedes
Last matches played by Valencia:
LaLiga
01/19 2022 – Valencia 1 – 1 Sevilla
Copa del Rey
01/16 2022 – Atletico Baleares 0 – 1 Valencia
LaLiga
01/08 2022 – Real Madrid 4 – 1 Valencia
Copa del Rey
01/05 2022 – Cartagena 1 – 2 Valencia
LaLiga
12/31 2021 – Valencia 1 – 2 Espanyol
Atletico Madrid – Valencia Direct comparison / H2H balance
This is the 178th time the two clubs have met. Atlético Madrid currently lead the head-to-head comparison against Valencia FC with a record of 68-48-61. Since October 2014, the “Rojiblancos” have not lost any of their last 14 competitive matches against the bats. Atléti even won two of the last three matches against their league rivals.
In the last two matches between Atletico Madrid vs Valencia, a prediction of over 2.5 goals in the match has come true. We think betting on that is obvious this time too.
Atletico Madrid vs Valencia Tip
Atlético Madrid cannot afford to lose any more points in the league. The defence of the title is utopian for last year’s champions, but there is a chance to limit the damage with the starting places for the top flight. At the moment, Atléti are in fourth and thus last place for the Champions League – tied on points with Real Sociedad, mind you.
The home match against Valencia FC is therefore all the more important and decisive. Saturday’s opponents are currently in a mini-crisis and have not won any of their last three games in the Spanish top flight. Nevertheless, the bats are unlikely to hide at the stumbling Atléti after the draw against Sevilla FC.
The only chance for the Rojiblancos to make amends this season is on the international stage. Nationally, Atléti have had a mixed season and no longer have a realistic chance of winning a trophy.
In the league, the primary goal in the second half of the season is a place in the top flight. With numerous rivals breathing down the Rojiblancos’ necks, this weekend’s home game against Valencia FC is of great importance. We do not rule out an act of defiance from Simeone & Co.
With a stake of six units, our betting odds on Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia are 2.25 HT/FT: 1/1
