Atletico Madrid are currently third place in La Liga, behind their usual title rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. Despite a run of just one win in their last five outings in the Spanish top-flight, Diego Simeone’s men only trail city rivals and leaders Real Madrid by three points.
Diego Simeone’s side host an improving Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon, a game which is not easy on paper or on the pitch.
Atletico’s main problem of late in La Liga has been drawing too many games, as Los Rojiblancos have drawn three of their last four games, with a 2-0 away win at Real Mallorca sandwiched in-between.
Simeone’s side’s have had trouble finding the back of the net in recent games, failing to score in four of their last five league matches, while also scoring just twice in that run.
At least their defence has remained watertight in recent games, as they have not conceded in four league outings in Spain’s top-flight. In fact, alongside Athletic, the home side has the best defensive record in the Spanish top-flight, having conceded just four goals in their eight games so far this season.
Valencia will threaten that good defensive record, as Los Ches have failed to score just once in their last 15 outings in the Spanish top-flight.
A recent four-game unbeaten run has moved Albert Celades’ team up to eighth position in the league table. The visitors have recorded back-to-back wins over Athletic and last time out against Alaves.
One downer for the visitors is that they have a highly inconsistent recent away record in the Spanish top-flight. In fact, they have won four and lost four of their last eight league matches on their travels in La Liga.
Forebet predicts that this game will end in another frustrating low-scoring draw for the home side, although it would be a respectable result for the visitors.