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Valencia CF vs. Atlético Madrid
At the end of Matchday 3 of the Spanish La Liga, there will be a resounding encounter on Monday evening. At the Estadio Mestalla, Valencia FC will welcome Atletico Madrid. Kick-off in the traditional duel is at 22:00 Central European Time.
After two league games in the new season, the opponents are neighbours in the table. With a win in the opener and a defeat in game two, they currently occupy ninth and tenth place. Find out who we see ahead in the head-to-head clash and what other predictions we have for this match in our Valencia vs Atletico betting tips.
Valencia vs Atletico info
– Date & Time: 29.08.2022, 22:00 Uhr
– Venue: Valencia, Estadio Mestalla
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 3
– TV coverage: DAZN
Valencia Form & Balance Check
Valencia FC supporters have not yet been treated to goals in their first two games of the season, however. The “Blanquineros” won 1-0 against FC Girona in their opening game, although they were outnumbered from the 52nd minute onwards. Last weekend, they lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao. Against the Basques, Valencia were the clearly inferior team throughout the game and still had a great chance to equalise through Marcos Andre in injury time. But the Brazilian failed to hit the post after a great solo run.
Three years of mediocrity
New coach Gennaro Gattuso is expected to restore Valencia FC to their former glory. The six-time Spanish champions and 2001 Champions League finalists are on the verge of sinking into the grey mediocrity of La Liga. After finishing fourth in the Champions League twice between 2017 and 2019, the Blanquineros have not played in the European Cup since. Their record over the last three seasons is two 9th place finishes and one 13th place finish.
Valencia facts & analysis
– last lost 0:1 against Athletic Bilbao.
– scored only 1 goal in their first two league games
– won 2 home games in a row to nil on season
Atletico form & balance check
Atletico won 3-0 at Getafe FC in their opener. However, there was no talk of a first real endurance test against the 15th-placed team of the previous season. This was followed in game two against FC Villarreal, who beat Bayern and are Champions League semi-finalists. In Madrid, the “yellow submarine” dominated its away game, but failed to take the lead several times.
After Atletico had missed their best chance in the person of Matheus Cunha, Villarreal immediately took advantage of a defensive lapse by newcomer Nahuel Molina and scored the 1:0 (Yeremi Pino 73′). Molina was to attract negative attention once again in the following period. In injury time he saw the red card (90+4′) for a punch in the face of opponent Alex Baena. After a counterattack in literally the last minute, Gerrard Moreno (90+7′) made the final score 2-0.
Guest at favourite opponent
At home against Valencia, Atletico Madrid need to show a reaction after the home defeat against Villareal. It is just fitting that the Blanquineros are something like the Madrilenians’ favourite opponent. Diego Simeone’s side have gone unbeaten against Valencia FC 15 times in a row (nine wins & six draws). Their last defeat in this clash came on Matchday 7 of the 2014/15 season, when Atletico lost 3-1 at Valencia.
Atletico facts & analysis
– last lost with 0:2 against Villareal
– won 3 away games in a row over the season
– scored at least twice in 3 away games in a row
Predicted line-up – last update on 26 August 2022
In Valencia, Atletico Madrid will have to do without the red suspended Nahuel Molina. However, we doubt that this is a real weakening. We expect Marcos Llorente to take his place at right midfield and Rodrigo de Paul to start in central midfield. Antoine Griezmann, who Atletico would have to sign from FC Barcelona for a fixed €40 million fee at the end of the season due to a clause in his contract if he gets too much playing time, would again probably only come off the bench.
On the Valencia FC side, captain and left-back Jose Gaya remains suspended. In midfield, we expect the first starting appearance of Nico Gonzalez, on loan from FC Barcelona.
Valencia – Atletico direct comparison & stats
This duel, rich in tradition, is clearly dominated by Atletico in recent years, as already mentioned. The Colchoneros have not lost any of the past 15 encounters with Valencia. In the last encounter, however, it was quite close. In January this year, the Blanquineros led 2-0 at the break in Madrid. Two goals in injury time turned the game around and Atletico won 3-2.
– Atletico have not lost any of their last 15 matches against Valencia.
– Scored at least 4 goals in their last 3 encounters
– Both teams scored in 7 of the last 8 duels