One of the big matches in the La Liga schedule will take place at the famous Mestalla Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Valencia welcome Atletico Madrid. Valencia are currently 11th in the table, having gained six points from their first four games of the new season, while Atletico Madrid are fourth with seven points, which they have achieved in three games this season.
Valencia have been poor in the 2022-23 season as they sit 16th in the table, their lowest position in La Liga since they were relegated to the second tier in 1987. Valencia are a long way from the Champions League as their last four positions in La Liga are 9th, 13th, 9th and 16th.
Ruben Baraja's men have made a strong start to the 2023-24 season with back-to-back victories over Sevilla and Las Palmas, but they have suffered back-to-back defeats against Osasuna and Alaves. Valencia sit 11th in the table with six points from their four matches, and given the apparent lack of depth in their squad, it's hard to envision them contending for a potential European spot this season. In fact, Valencia have not beaten Atletico Madrid in La Liga since October 2014, having lost five of their last six matches to the red-and-whites, including a 1-0 reverse at the Mestalla last season.
Atletico Madrid have only played three league games this season as their match against Sevilla before the international break was postponed due to exceptionally heavy rainfall in the Madrid area. As a result, Diego Simeone's side have not played since a 7-0 thrashing of Lajo Vaycano at the end of August, which gave them seven points for the season. The Red and Whites opened the 2023-24 season with a 3-1 win over Granada before picking up a welcome point against Real Betis, and they are now preparing for their third away game of the season.
Atletico's attention will then quickly turn to the Champions League as Simeone's side prepare to travel to Italy on Tuesday night to take part in **their** first round group game against Lazio. The capital side finished bottom of the Champions League group stage last year, so fans will be demanding an improved European campaign this season, and there is also a Madrid derby against Real Madrid the following weekend.
Valencia's likely starting lineup: Mamadashvili; Fulgier, Diakabi, Ozcakar, Gaya; Correa, Guerrera, Peperu, Canos; Almeida, Duro.
Atlético de Madrid probable starting XI: Oblak; Molina, Savic, Witsel, Hermoso, Saul; De Paul, Barrios, Llorente; Griezmann,...
OUR PREDICTION: Valencia 0-1 Atletico Madrid Atletico Madrid put in a stunning performance in their last game against Lajo Vaycano, and while we're not predicting a similar result here, the capital's giants should be strong enough to pick up another three points against a Valencia side who have been disappointing in their last two games.
