Atletico Madrid vs Valencia – Betting Tips and La Liga Preview

The clash between the two Champions League participants in Madrid will be the central event of the 9th round of the Spanish La Liga. The hosts haven’t won in the last two home games in the domestic league, and they have to take this one in order to stay in the title race. Meanwhile, Valencia is oscillating as always but is still near the top four.

The Mattress Makers lost just once in the recent 10 games. But since the defeat against Real Sociedad, Simeone’s guys won only twice, recording four draws besides that. Three of them were at Wanda Metropolitan, including the one against Juve in the Champions League. It means that Atletico didn’t record a victory at home since the 1st of September, which is a long time for a title contender. On the other hand, the last loss in front of their crowd came in February. Regarding the efficiency, only two matches in from the latest 10 saw three or more goals. Also, Jan Oblak kept clean sheets in the previous 5 contests, which tells us that Atletico reached its usual defensive form.

Valencia has 12 points, six fewer than Real Madrid at the top of the standings. They are in solid shape with just one defeat over the last six matches. It was a blowout against Ajax in the UCL when the Lancers got away home with a 0-3 win. Apart from that, Valencia won twice in a row in La Liga, beating Bilbao on the road, 0-1, and Alaves at home, 2-1. What is very interesting is the fact that three of their recent four matches went above 2.5 goals. We haven’t seen that often in the past few months. The Bats are also known as a team that has a tough defence and relies upon counterattacks without overexposing themselves. The majority of their events last season and at the beginning of this campaign were with fewer than three scores.

Team News

We want you to know this. Valencia didn’t win in head-to-head matches against Atletico in nine games, and the last four trips to Madrid ended with the hosts beating the Bats.

A big blow for the hosts is Stefan Savic’s injury, and the strong centre-back will be out for at least four weeks. Vitolo is doubtful, while Diego Costa comes back into the line-up.

Valencia will be stronger for Kondogbia, who is fully fit now and Gameiro and Soler, who both come back after injuries. Gaya is questionable.

Prediction

Expect tough and defensive-minded tactics, particularly because Atletico now has to cover up for Savic’s absence. Simeone is going to be very careful. Valencia will try to get one point from here, and that is why we believe that the Bats also aren’t going to be keen to attack. Under 2.5 goals is our choice here, and the odds for that are at 8/11 at bet365.

After all, said, we have to give an advantage to the home team. Yes, they have to play without Savic, but one guy isn’t going to change too much in Atletico’s performance. They are looking good, and also, have to win and snap a streak of draws at Wanda. Right now, the odds to beat Valencia are 3/4 at bet365.