La Liga Matchday 22 Preview: Ateltico Madrid vs Valencia

Atletico Madrid are in action against Valencia this weekend in the highlight fixture from La Liga. We choose Atleti to win over Valencia in our La Liga Matchday 22 preview.

Online sportsbooks in Spain suggest a comfortable win for Atleti with the home side strong favorites to win the match. The game will be between La Liga’s most efficient attack (Valencia) and its best defence (Atletico Madrid). Our La Liga Matchday 22 preview opts for Atletico Madrid to continue their strong record of winning six of their last seven home games against the Valencian side.

Atletico Madrid vs Valcenia stats

In the past five occasions, Atletico Madrid won four games over Valencia, while the fifth ended in a goalless draw when Atleti visited the Mestalla in La Liga Matchday 03 of this season. Atletico were able to score 10 goals, while Valencia managed to net only twice. Last time Valencia scored in Atletico was in March, 2016 but they lost (3-1).

(Source: Atletico de Madrid; Ángel Gutiérrez)

Although the two teams sit on La Liga top four, they had a disappointing start in 2018. Atleti with 46 points in the 2nd spot lost twice in last eight games, while 3rd placed Valencia encountered three losses and one draw in last eight games.

Will Valencia lose their place?

Valencia sit in the third position in La Liga largely due to the ability of their strikers to convert chances into goals. But they have scored below their expected goals in their last two games. The last game in La Liga was against Real Madrid who won (4-1) at Valencia’s home ground. If Los Che encounter another loss they will be probably leapfrogged by Real Madrid who are only two points behind and have one game in hand. Are Garcia’s youngsters strong enough to push back the stress?

La Liga Matchday 22 preview: Bet on Atletico

Atelti look like the favourites to win. The odds are 1.51 at Vbet Sportsbook for the hosts, as they are undefeated at home this season (six wins, four draws). Their current second position is due to their strong defence. They conceded only 9 goals in 21 games and will need to be just as solid to secure a result on Sunday.

On the other hand Valencia have less chance to capture victory in their 11th outing for this season. The odds are 7.35 at Vbet Sportsbook for Los Che to leave with a victory, especially because they have a serious defensive injury crisis and they are in midst of a tough stretch, meeting with Barcelona in Copa del Rey semifinal leg 1 only two days before they travel to Madrid.