Atletico Madrid pursue their seventh straight win across all competitions as they travel to the lowly ranked Real Valladolid in a very important La Liga game. Diego Simeone’s men are still trying to catch up with table toppers Barcelona, while Real Valladolid hope to be out of the relegation zone.
Match Preview
Real Valladolid Struggles Real Valladolid sit 20th in La Liga with just nine points from 14 games, having recorded two wins, three draws, and nine defeats. Their Achilles heel has been their defense, which has conceded 27 goals – the worst record in the league.
The White and Violets have managed just one point in their last four league outings. After holding Athletic Bilbao to a 1-1 draw on November 10, they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Getafe in their most recent match.
Back in La Liga after finishing second in the Segunda Division last season, Valladolid hope to avoid immediate relegation. However, their recent form against Atletico Madrid is discouraging. They have lost five matches in a row, including a 5-2 defeat in the corresponding 2022-23 fixture.
Atletico Madrid’s Winning Streak
Atletico Madrid go into this game in high spirits following a 6-0 mauling of Sparta Prague in the Champions League. This result sealed their sixth successive victory across all competitions.
Simeone’s men have been doing incredibly well in the domestic front with victories over Las Palmas, Mallorca, and Alaves in their last three league games. They lie third in La Liga with 29 points, five points behind leaders Barcelona.
Atletico boast the best defensive record in La Liga, conceding just eight goals in 14 matches. However, their attack, while effective, ranks only fifth in the league with 21 goals scored.
Team News
Real Valladolid Updates
Real Valladolid remain without Selim Amallah, who suffered a muscular injury. Despite a loss in the last game against Getafe, head coach Paulo Pezzolano does not need to change much in the lineup. Mario Martin will probably replace Stanko Juric in midfield, while Mamadou Sylla, with two goals this season, will have the responsibility in attack.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico will lack injured Nahuel Molina and Thomas Lemar in their ranks, with Robin Le Normand questionable after suffering a head injury.
Simeone will probably rotate his side after that win in the Champions League, which means a return to the starting lineup for the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Koke, though Giuliano Simeone should keep his place on the right flank. That leaves Angel Correa, despite scoring a couple on Wednesday night, on the bench.
Predicted Lineups
Real Valladolid (5-4-1)
Goalkeeper: Hein
Defense: Perez, Bah, J Sanchez, Ozkacar, Rosa
Midfield: Moro, Martin, Perez, Tuhami
Striker: Sylla
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Oblak
Defence: Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan
Midfield: Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Gallagher
Strikers: Griezmann, Alvarez
Prediction
Real Valladolid’s poor form and problems at the back make them prone to an in-form Atletico Madrid. Without doubt, despite Atletico’s modest away record this term, their quality and better organization should seal a straightforward victory for them.
Final Score Prediction: Real Valladolid 0-2 Atletico Madrid
Atletico’s solidity at the back and depth in attack will more than likely prevail against the struggling Valladolid side.
