Atletico Madrid vs Valencia Match Preview & Prediction

Atletico Madrid vs Valencia predictions, H2H and match preview for this Saturday’s clash in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as two of Spain’s biggest clubs clash in the capital.

Atletico Madrid vs Valencia Preview

Five years have passed since Valencia won a game against Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone has consistently enjoyed the upper-hand over various Valencia counterparts during that spell with Albert Celades the latest man to try and get the edge on him. Los Che will head to the Wanda Metropolitano as the clear underdogs but perhaps encouraged by Atleti’s struggles in recent games.

They’ve not looked convincing in the final third with back-to-back 0-0 league draws heading into this. That’s despite Simeone fielding Joao Felix, Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata in the same side but the trio fired blanks at Valladolid last time out following the Madrid derby stalemate. Only two sides in La Liga have had fewer shots than Atleti this season but encouragingly for them, they have at least looked solid defensively despite several major summer departures.

As for Valencia, the jury is certainly still out on Albert Celades, who was always going to have a tough time immediately establishing a bond with the Mestalla crowd. A heavy Champions League home defeat against Ajax didn’t help his cause but Los Che are in decent league form with back-to-back wins in the Spanish top flight heading into this match.

Their 1-0 victory at San Mames against an Athletic side that was unbeaten at home in almost a year should give them confidence as they face another of La Liga’s toughest away days here. The game should tell us more about just how strong these two sides are going to be this season following some major recent changes at both clubs.

Atletico Madrid vs Valencia Predictions

Score Prediction: 1-0 Atleti

Atleti haven’t fully convinced this season but crucially they don’t appear to have lost any of those core qualities that have made them a force in European football for the best part of a decade. They are still tough to break down and generally find a way to edge those even games, particularly at the Wanda Metropolitano. It’s likely to be tight but this has the potential to be another trademark 1-0 Atleti win.

Atletico Madrid vs Valencia H2H

• Last 6 competitive meetings: 4 Atleti Wins, 2 Draws
• Atleti have won their last 4 home games against Valencia.
• The two previous meetings at the Wanda have seen them win 3-2 and 1-0.
• Valencia haven’t beaten Diego Simeone’s side since a 3-1 win at the Mestalla in October 2014.

Next up in La Liga: Getafe vs Leganes preview

Predicted Line Ups

Atletico Madrid Team:

Oblak – Trippier, Felipe, Gimenez, Lodi – Koke, Saul, Thomas, Lemar – Felix, Costa (4-4-2)

Valencia Team:

Cillessen – Costa, Paulista, Garay, Wass – Kondogbia, Coquelin, Parejo – Cheryshev, Gameiro, Rodrigo (4-3-3)