Atletico Madrid and Valencia will battle for three points in La Liga this Monday when both sides meet at the Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia.
Venue: Estadio de Mestalla (Valencia)
Key Statistics
Valencia have won their last two home league games without conceding a goal.
The hosts have failed to score in three of their last six league games.
Atletico Madrid have won their last three away league games.
They have two clean sheets from their last two away games in the league.
The first half has been the highest scoring half in just one of Atlético’s last 14 competitive fixtures (second half x8, tied count x5).
Head to head
Atletico Madrid have been the dominant side in this fixture in the last seven seasons. The visitors are unbeaten in that period against Valencia, with a record of nine wins and five draws in seven seasons.
Latest performances in all competitions
Valencia: L-W-W-L-D
Atletico Madrid: L-W-W-W-W
Valencia
After beginning his reign as Valencia boss with a narrow 1-0 win over Girona in Matchday One, legendary Italy midfielder and new Valencia boss Gennaro Gattuso was brought down back to earth when his side were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
Although, the hosts who are looking to get back to their former heights this season can take courage in the truth that results have not been generally good for even the top teams this season. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have already dropped points while Real Madrid, although they are winning, appear to be vulnerable at the back.
And so they will come into this fixture looking to take up an elite but vulnerable opposition as an underdog. They welcome Diego Simeone’s men to the Mastella looking to register their first win in this league fixture in eight seasons (L9, D5).
Meanwhile, away from the field, the hosts remain busy chasing the signatures of former loanee Bryan Gil and potentially even striker Edinson Cavani. Should both players arrive, it will be a big boost for Gattuso who believes Valencia are on a positive trajectory in their pursuit of a return to UEFA competition.
Possible Valencia starting line-up
Giorgi Mamardashvili; Dimitri Foulquier, Gabriel Paulista, Mouctar Diakhaby, Jesus Vazquez; Yunus Musah, Hugo Guillamon, Carlos Soler; Samu Castillejo, Maximiliano Gomez, Samuel Lino.
Injured: Hugo Durro
Doubtful: Thierry Correia
Suspended: Jose Gaya
Atletico Madrid
Like their hosts, Atletico Madrid also began this season with a win only to be given a reality check in the second game of the season.
Diego Simeone’s side opened their season’s league account with an impressive 3-0 win over Getafe to go top of the table after Gameweek one. But they followed that win up with a 2-0 loss to Villarreal last time out, casting doubts over their preparedness to challenge Real Madrid for the title this campaign.
The visitors travel to Valencia as the favourites given their record on this ground in recent times. With visiting striker Álvaro Morata who will be keen to impress his suitors here likely to start, the visitors have the right tools to get a positive result. The Spanish striker is looking for redemption in his Atletico career. He has scored four of his last five goals in all competitions away from home and will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet at the Mestalla.
Possible Atletico Madrid starting line-up
Jan Oblak; Felipe Moteiro, Mario Hermoso, Reinaldo Mandava; Marcos Llorente, Koke, Axel Witsel, Thomas Lemar, Yanick Carrasco; Joao Felix, Alvaro Morata.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Stefan Savic
Suspended: Nahuel Molina
Prediction
Valencia 1-1 Atletico Madrid
