Atletico Madrid is set to host Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. After suffering two consecutive losses in La Liga, Atletico seeks to regain momentum against a struggling Valencia side.
Current Standings
Atletico Madrid currently occupies the fourth spot in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by nine points. In contrast, Valencia sits at 16th place, just three points above the relegation zone.
Recent Performances
Diego Simeone’s team started the month strongly but faced setbacks against Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, losing 3-1 and 1-0, respectively. Despite these losses, Atletico claimed a vital 3-2 Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven, which provides a boost ahead of their league clash.
Home and Away Records
- Atletico Madrid has the third-best home record in La Liga this season, amassing 22 points from eight home matches.
- Valencia, on the other hand, has secured only three points from seven away games, the second-worst record in the league.
Historical Context
Last season, Atletico Madrid achieved a double over Valencia, winning both matches 3-0. However, in a surprising twist, they lost to Valencia at Mestalla 3-0 in September 2023, marking a challenging history for the visitors.
Team News
Atletico Madrid will be without Marcos Llorente and Jose Gimenez due to injuries. Alex Baena is also doubtful owing to a hamstring issue. Clement Lenglet is expected to recover and participate in the match.
For Valencia, Cesar Tarrega is suspended due to accumulating yellow cards. Mouctar Diakhaby returns after injury, while Hugo Duro, who scored the last match’s goal, is anticipated to start.
Possible Lineups
| Atletico Madrid | Valencia |
|---|---|
| Oblak | Agirrezabala |
| Molina | Foulquier |
| Pubill | Copete |
| Lenglet | Comert |
| Hancko | Correia |
| Simeone | Almeida |
| Koke | Pepelu |
| Barrios | Gaya |
| Almada | Lopez |
| Alvarez | Duro |
| Sorloth | Rioja |
Match Prediction
Considering Atletico Madrid’s strong home performance and Valencia’s struggles away from home, a 2-0 victory for Atletico seems likely. Atletico’s robust defense, having only conceded six goals at home this season, poses a significant challenge for Valencia’s attack, which has struggled to find the net on the road.
