Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Undoubtedly the glamour tie of the opening round of fixtures kicking off the new La Liga campaign, after lifting the Super Cup in Estonia in mid-week, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side will look to kick on from their impressive year last season as they travel to fellow Spanish heavyweights Valencia on Monday night.
Valencia
Although Valencia may have failed to secure a top half finish two years ago, Marcelino García Toral has helped the former La Liga giants enjoy a climb back to European football. Landing a fourth-place finish last season and finishing just three points adrift of Champions League winners Real Madrid, Monday’s hosts also enjoyed back to back wins against both Everton and Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen to end their pre-season tour. Scoring three times in both of their victories, if the Bats are to enjoy another successful season this time around, Valencia and Toral will be looking for Spanish international and former Bolton striker Rodrigo to lead from the front once again. The 27-year-old scored 16 times in La Liga last year and his impressive performances also saw him receive a call up to Spain’s World Cup squad this summer.
Team News
Summer signing Cristiano Piccini is likely to make his debut at right-back while Russia’s World Cup start Denis Cheryshev could also be handed his first start of the new campaign. However, Chelsea loanee Michy Batshuayi is likely to settle for a place on the bench, same as former Atletico man Kevin Gameiro.
Atletico Madrid
Although Diego Simeone may have still been serving a ban that forced him to watch from the stands in midweek, his Atletico side couldn’t have started their campaign any better. Lifting their first piece of silverware by beating bitter rivals Real Madrid 4-2 in the Super Cup, spirits are high around the Metropolitano Stadium. Along with securing a second place finish in La Liga last year and picking up the Europa League title, Atletico will also be boosted by the news that World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann has agreed to extend his stay in the Spanish capital. Along with being unbeaten in their last seven matches against their hosts, Los Rojiblancos will also be looking for former Chelsea man Diego Costa to carry on his eye-catching start to the new season. Scoring three times for Spain in the World Cup this summer, the 29-year-old scored a brace against Real and will be looking to open his account on Monday.
Team News
Simeone is likely to start with basically the same eleven that overcame Real Madrid in last week’s Super Cup with the exception of Jose Maria Gimenez who returns to the center of defense in place of Stefan Savic and Filipe Luis replacing the suspended Lucas Hernandez.
Key Factors to Consider
- Diego Simeone’s side are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Valencia (W6, D1).
- Antoine Griezmann has scored four goals in his last five league matches against Valencia.
- Simeone also becomes the first Atletico manager to take charge in eight consecutive seasons.
- Valencia have not scored a single goal in their last four La Liga games against Atletico. They have never gone five consecutive matches in the competition without scoring against a single opponent.
- Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno scored 16 goals in La Liga last season, six more than in the three previous seasons combined for the club.
Conclusion
While Diego Simeone and his Atletico Madrid side will undoubtedly face a tough test against a revitalized Valencia side, it should be a hard nights work for Marcelino García Toral’s Bats. With confidence around Los Rojiblancos at an all-time high following on from their historic 4-2 win over their bitter rivals in mid-week, we’re backing The Red and Whites to pick up their first three points of the new season. Another notable tip is last weeks Man of the Match Diego Costa finding the net at 2/1.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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