Valencia will be looking to move out of the drop zone when they welcome La Liga title-contenders Atletico Madrid to the Mestalla on Saturday.
Having won just one out of their last five La Liga games, Atletico Madrid will be eager to secure all three points when they hit the road to square up against relegation-threatened Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday evening.
The home team have accumulated 23 points in their 24 La Liga outings. While Los Che have been far from their best, they have done a decent job in recent weeks. Valencia have three wins and a draw in their last five outings. They have been unbeaten in their last three league games heading into this fixture, which will certainly boost their confidence heading into this one.
The visitors had reclaimed the top spot in La Liga, but they failed to do having dropped points in four out of their last five league games. The Colchoneros are a point behind leaders Real Madrid and Barcelona, and they will look to stay in the mix with a win here.
Atletico Madrid are heading into this fixture on the back of consecutive draws against Los Blancos and Celta Vigo. Los Rojiblancos will have to put up a much-improved performance to return to winning ways. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Valencia
The home team will be without the services of Thierry Correia. Apart from him, they are in excellent shape and should have a fully fit squad to choose from. Enzo Barrenechea is back available after serving a suspension last time out.
Valencia will go ahead with the 4-5-1 formation, where Giorgi Mamardashvili will be in goal. Dimitri Folquier and Jose Gaya will be the full-backs, while Cesar Tarrega and Cristhian Mosquera will feature in the heart of the defence.
Diego Lopez and Andre Almeida will feature out wide on the flanks. They will look to provide support to the full-backs and also provide width to their attacks. Enzo Barrenechea will partner with Javi Guerra and Pepelu in the centre of the park. The trio will try to ensure that Atletico midfielders do not end up dominating the proceedings. Finally, Hugo Duro should lead the line for Valencia against Atletico Madrid.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gaya; Diego Lopez, Guerra, Barrenechea, Pepelu, Almeida; Duro
Atletico Madrid
The visitors will be without the services of Pablo Barrios, who is serving a suspension following a red in their last outing. Meanwhile, Samuel Lino is a doubt for this fixture after being forced off in their last outing.
Diego Simeone’s team will continue with the 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will take charge in goal. Marcos Llorente and Javi Galan should be the full-backs for the away team, while Jose Gimenez should partner with Robin Le Normand at the heart of the defence.
The back four will receive significant support from the four in front of them. Giuliano Simeone and Conor Gallagher will take charge in the wide areas, while Rodrigo De Paul and Koke will feature in central roles. The duo will try to control the tempo of the game. Finally, Julian Alvarez should continue to pair up with French veteran Antoine Griezmann in the strike partnership.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have won 24 out of their last 55 meetings with Valencia, while the home team have managed just 14 victories.
- Valencia’s 3-0 home win over Diego Simeone’s team in September 2023 ended a dry spell, but they haven’t secured back-to-back league wins against them since 2011.
- Los Rojiblancos have turned the tables in recent encounters, winning five of their last six La Liga games against Valencia after previously winning just four of nine.
- Under Diego Simeone’s management, Atletico Madrid have won 15 of their 26 league fixtures against Valencia.
- The visitors have dropped points in four out of their last five league games which has cost them in the title race.
Player to Watch
Giuliano Simeone
The 22-year-old is certainly enjoying life under his father. The youngster has been given an extended run in the first-team this season, and he has not disappointed. Simeone has featured in a total of 29 matches, and he has contributed towards nine goals. The Argentine international will be eager to add to his tally when he takes the field against Valencia.
Prediction
Valencia 0-2 Atletico Madrid
While Atletico Madrid have not been at their best and they have dropped points in games, they are not expected to slip-up this weekend. Los Rojiblancos still have a strong enough squad to bounce back and secure all three points against a team that is fighting for survival.
Valencia will certainly put up a strong fight, but it might not be good enough to get the better of Atletico Madrid. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Diego Simeone and his charges.
