Atletico Madrid’s slim title hopes were boosted last weekend in La Liga, and they simply have to take care of business against bottom club Real Valladolid on Monday night.
Having seen their Champions League and Copa del Rey dreams crushed by some very fine margins, La Liga is all that Atleti have left, but they have some serious ground to make up on Barcelona and Real Madrid, after some damaging defeats last month.
They looked to be on course for dropped points again at Sevilla last time out, before Pablo Barrios fired in an excellent winner in the 93rd minute. Diego Simeone will be hoping that can prove something of at turning point, as his team now looks ahead to what is a very favourable run-in.
There’s little prospect of them slipping up against a Real Valladolid side that ranks among the worst to have ever graced the Spanish top flight. They’ve collected just one point from their last 11 matches, and things hit a fresh low last time out, as they lost 4-0 at home to Getafe, made even worse by the sight of two home players nearly coming to blows on the touchline in an angry confrontation.
How the bookies view it: Only one outcome expected
At 1/7 to win this, Atletico Madrid are one of the shortest prices we’ve seen all season in La Liga. The draw is available at 8/1, while you can back an unlikely away win at 22/1, as Real Valladolid aim to improve on a record of 14 defeats from 15 road games this term in the Spanish top flight.
Recent head-to-head: A fixture Atleti enjoy
It’s six straight wins for Atletico Madrid against this opposition. They won the title in Valladolid on the final day of the 2020/21 season with a 2-1 victory, while they scored five unanswered goals in the reverse fixture earlier this term.
Players to watch: Sorloth to make a late impact again?
One of Atletico Madrid’s strengths this season has been the depth that exists in their squad, with players frequently making an impact off the bench. Alexander Sorloth has been the chief protagonist on that front, with 10 of his 11 goals in La Liga coming after the 60th minute. The Norwegian looks good at 3/1 to score last in this game with bet365.
Predicted Lineups
Rodrigo De Paul is an injury doubt for the home team, so Koke could make a rare start in midfield. Samuel Lino is also a fitness concern heading into this.
As for the visitors, there’ll be at least one change after Mario Martin saw red against Getafe. Caretaker boss Alvaro Rubio may mix things up elsewhere too, as he bids to stop the rot.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Galan, Lenglet, Gimenez, Llorente, Gallagher, Barrios, Koke, Simeone, Alvarez, Griezmann.
Real Valladolid: Ferreira, Aznou, D. Torres, J. Sanchez, Candela, Juric, Nikitscher, Moro, Amallah, I. Sanchez, Sylla.
Anything else catch the eye?
Right now, it’s hard to see Real Valladolid getting another point all season, let alone causing an upset at the Estadio Metropolitano. With Los Rojiblancos still boasting La Liga’s joint-best defensive record, backing Atletico Madrid to win-to-nil at 4/6 with Unibet looks good.
There’s every chance they will run up the score too, given Real Valladolid have conceded seven in Barcelona and Bilbao, as well as five at Villarreal already this season in some of their other tough away fixtures. Atletico Madrid can be backed with a -2 handicap at 6/5 with Paddy Power.
This La Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Real Valladolid will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Atletico Madrid vs Real Valladolid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
GambleAware