Valencia vs Atletico Madrid predictions and match preview for Monday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Los Che entertain Diego Simeone’s side.
| Date | Monday 29th August 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 22:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | Mestalla |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Valencia vs Atletico Madrid Preview
There’s an interesting clash on Monday night at Mestalla as two of Spanish football’s biggest clubs meet with something of a point to prove. Valencia could potentially make a bit of a statement here if they were to get the better of Atleti as they look to show they are going to be more than just mid-table also-rans this season. Atleti though will be hungry to bounce back after a surprise loss last time out.
While Valencia haven’t exactly been a club who you’d associate with smart and sensible business in recent years, it does feel like they’ve had a pretty good transfer window this time around. Homegrown duo Jose Gaya and Carlos Soler remain which should appease the fans to some extent with the needed funds raised thanks to the sale of Goncalo Guedes for a large fee of over €30m while they’ve also managed to get high earner Jasper Cillessen off the wage bill.
There have been some interesting additions too with 22 year old André Almeida the latest to arrive. He will join Barcelona loanee Nico González in competing for places in the midfield and it does feel like they have some good options in that area of the pitch now, although Los Che could probably do with a bit more quality in the final third as right now it’s hard to see this team delivering a lot of goals.
As for Atleti, the jury is out to some extent on their transfer business. Their main addition was Nahuel Molina who was supposed to be the cure for their problems at right back/right wing back. He endured a nightmare home debut though, with his error leading to Villarreal’s opening goal in their 2-0 win at the Metropolitano last weekend. Molina later saw red in Stoppage Time meaning we will most likely see Marcos Llorente shift back across the right side for this game.
Diego Simeone’s team did get off to a great start with a 3-0 win at Getafe so it’s very much one good and one bad game for Atleti to date. With Real Madrid and Barcelona both impressing already, Atletico simply can’t afford a slow start to the season if they want to be serious contenders in the title race this term. This is a game they really could do with winning with tough trips to Donostia, Bilbao and both Seville clubs to come before the end of October, not to mention a home Madrid derby.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Valencia
| INJURED | Duro, Vazquez |
| DOUBTFUL | Paulista |
| BANNED | Gaya |
Possible XI: Mamardashvili – Lato, Diakhaby, Paulista, Correia – Musah, Guillamon, Soler – Lino, Gomez, Castillejo (4-3-3)
Coach: Gennaro Gattuso
Atletico Madrid
| INJURED | Savic |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Molina |
Possible XI: Oblak – Reinildo, Witsel, Gimenez – Saul, Lemar, Kondogbia, Koke, Llorente – Felix, Morata (3-5-2)
Coach: Diego Simeone
Score Prediction: Valencia 1-1 Atletico Madrid
It’s no secret that Valencia fans aren’t exactly enamoured with everything going on at their club with protests a regular feature of their home games in recent years. However when the big guns come calling, there is still usually a cracking atmosphere and Atleti will most likely be in for a tough night. Gennaro Gattuso’s team may have enough to get a result.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
