La Liga: Atleti Set to Dump More Pain on Los Ches 

Atletico Madrid vs Valencia

La Liga action is back in Madrid on Sunday when Atletico take on Valencia in a third versus 20^th top flight clash.

Los Rojiblancos have strengthened during the summer and have started well, with two wins and two draws from their opening four; but Los Ches have had a wretched start and their demanding fans must fear more of the same at the Civitas Metropolitano at the weekend. Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid won 1-0 away to Bilbao last time out while Valencia boss Ruben Baraja saw his team pick up a first point of the campaign at home to Villarreal.

The La Liga 2024 betting odds rate Los Rojiblancos as third favourites for the title, behind the El Clasico two, while Valencia are predicted to have five, or maybe six teams behind them at the bottom…and that is not a comfortable place be sitting in.  

 

Talking Points

Correa to start for Atleti?

The summer signing of Julian Alvarez in a £81m move from Manchester City was a statement of intent for Los Rojiblancos, but the Argentina star is yet to make an assist or score a goal from his four appearances so far. These are early days and there is absolutely no doubt the 24 year old striker will come good; he is pure quality. But a week off won’t do him any harm and I suspect Simeone may bring in Angel Correa after he scored a late winner in Atleti’s 1-0 victory over Athletic Club.

Correa could line up alongside Antoine Griezmann, who has recently received glowing praise from France Olympics manager Thierry Henry, who said: “What Griezmann has done in the game cannot be challenged. What he has done for France, what he has done for Atletico Madrid, what Griezmann has done in the game is more than amazing.”

It’s hard to argue with the former Arsenal and France star. Griezmann has scored 30 goals in 67 appearances since his return to Madrid and he is the perfect foil for any co striker, able to play anywhere across the front line and, alongside midfielder Koke he has been one of the most influential players for Atleti over the past decade.

So Correa may start in attack and there could be a change in defence too, with summer recruit Clement Lenglet pushing for a start in a back three alongside Robin Le Normand and Jose Gimenez. He has been patient since his move from Barcelona and Lenglet could see his reward on Sunday.                  

Los Rojiblancos need to make their home a fortress if they are to challenge for the title and in their match against Girona, they showed last season’s surprise package just how dangerous they can be, winning 3-0 with goals from Griezmann, Koke and Marcos Llorente. But they followed that up with an underwhelming 0-0 draw at home to Espanyol and Simone will hope not to see that kind of outcome again any time soon.  

 

Valencia’s brutal start might just continue

Nobody at the Mestalla expected Los Ches to be rock bottom of the table after four games but their La Liga 2024 results have been hugely disappointing. In Baraja’s defence his team has faced some formidable opposition, at home to Barcelona and away to Athletic Bilbao, but they will be disappointed by a 3-1 loss away to Celta Vigo and would have been relieved to draw with Villarreal, though they took an early lead and played the last half hour against ten men.

After this daunting test against Atletico, Valencia will host Girona and Osasuna at home and they really need to pick up a win soon, as their next game will be away to Real Sociedad. Los Ches do have quality with 24 year old Hugo Duro up front. The Spain U21 player scored the goal against Villarreal and is Valencia’s biggest goal threat. At the other end of the pitch, keeper Giorgi Marmardashvili on loan form Liverpool is a class act and Los Ches are skippered by club legend Jose Gaya at left back. They have enough skill and experience to climb away from the foot of the table, but it may be a tricky path.    

 

History

Atletico have won 26 of the last 66 meetings while Valencia have picked up 21 victories, and both teams won their home match last season, Los Rojiblancos winning 2-0 in Madrid and Los Ches 3-0 at the Mestalla.

With two draws and two wins from four testing fixtures Atleti have made a solid start while Valencia lost their first three before picking up a point against Villarreal last week 

 

Betting Tip

Los Ches are way out there at 8.26 to spring a surprise at the Civitas Metropolitano while Atleti are at 1.27 to win and the draw is priced at 4.36.

The Double Chance: Valencia or Draw is available at SBOTOP odds of 3.10, but I’m backing Simeone’s men to do the job and in some comfort. 

   

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