La Liga: Can Atletico Be Kings of Madrid?

La Liga: Can Atletico Be Kings of Madrid?

Atletico Madrid vs Valencia

Atletico Madrid could be kings in their city.

They are closing in on second place in La Liga and to finish ahead of Real Madrid, their major rivals who are on a different playing field financially, would be the latest coup of boss Diego Simeone.

Yes they managed it last season but that paled into insignificance by their neighbours clinching a third successive Champions League crown.

This game will go a long way to determining whether they achieve that.

It won’t be straightforward of course.

SBOBET followers of the Spanish top flight know Valencia are chasing a top six finish themselves and, of course, are in the Europa League semi-finals where they will meet Arsenal.

Talking Points

Valencia can compete with the best on their day, as they have already proven this season.

They have proven matchwinners on their day and have often revelled in taking on the heavyweights.

Of course, similarly to Valencia in the early part of this decade, Atletico have also relished being in that role in recent seasons and enjoyed even greater success, reaching two Champions League finals and winning the domestic crown themselves.

Now they chase a runners-up spot which will go some way to easing the pain of their last 16 exit from Europe last month.

Antoine Griezmann should return for this one after he missed the Easter weekend’s 1-0 victory at Eibar through a one match suspension.

In contrast, Jose Maria Gimenez played for more than 45 minutes against Eibar with a fractured toe and seems set to miss out.

The Uruguayan defender suffered a bone fracture associated with the dislocation of a toe, according to the club’s medical staff.

It is a painful injury that puts his participation in the next couple of matches under serious doubt.

On the positive side for Los Rojiblancos, Stefan Savic has stepped up his recovery and managed to train with the rest of the group on Easter Day.

This means the Montenegro international could be ready to fill in for Gimenez against Valencia alongside Diego Godin.

Another Diego continues to make the news for all the wrong reasons.

Costa reportedly refused to train last week, supposedly hurt by the lack of protection he received from Los Colchoneros following his red card against Barcelona and subsequent eight match ban which means he is not eligible to play again this season.

Valencia have their own star qualities with Goncalo Guedes in fine form in recent weeks and setting up both goals in last week’s Europa League second leg victory over Villarreal before netting a fine double at the weekend.

Los Che centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby has also produced some notable performances.

A tight yet entertaining prospect is on the cards in the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

History

If goals are your thing, then perhaps this is not the game for you. The last three meetings have produced just three goals and has resulted in two draws. Earlier this season, on the opening day in fact,the sides played out a 1-1 draw with Angel Correa and Rodrigo on target. Rodrigo will miss this fixture after being sent off during their 2-1 success at Real Betis on Easter Day.

Last season Atletico won this corresponding fixture thanks to a solitary Correa goal.The other match ended goalless.

La Liga news statistics show that in the most recent eight meetings, Atletico have won five with the other three clashes ending all square.

Valencia last defeated Atletico 3-1 in October 2014. It remains their only success against them in the last 12 clashes.

Atletico and Valencia have met 43 times in total with Madrid triumphing on 16 occasions and Valencia 13. Fourteen encounters have ended all square.

Betting Tip

Atletico Madrid Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 1.95

SBOBET La Liga betting odds are in favour of a home win.

Atletico are priced 1X2 @ 1.94 with Valencia @ 3.60.

The draw is available @ 3.25.

Asian Handicap betting odds are similar with Atletico – 0.50 @ 1.94 and Valencia +0.50 @ 1.96.

Over 2.25 goals @ 2.08 and under 2.25 goals @ 1.82 both suggest a fairly low scoring game.

Total goal 0-1 @ 2.56 and total goal 2-3 @ 1.92 contrasts with total goal 4-6 @ 4.90 – again expectation that few goals are expected.

Double Chance Valencia or Draw @ 1.76 is the best Double Chance offer, while a repeat of the opening weekend encounter – correct score 1-1 – @ 6.00 is tempting.

A repeat of this fixture last season – correct score 1-0 – offers odds @ 5.40.

I can see Atletico leading at the break and there are attractive offers of First Half 1X2 Atletico @ 2.67 and First Half Asian Handicap Atletico -0.25 @ 2.14.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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