Valencia vs Atletico Madrid Preview

This game is the biggest game of the opening weekend in the Spanish La Liga.

These sides finished 4^th and 2^nd respectively last season and they will both be looking to challenge the stranglehold of Barcelona and Real Madrid and this game could show who is ready for a tilt at the title.

Atletico’s Super Cup win has set down a marker already and judging by how good their summer business has been they look more prepared than their hosts to challenge for the league title.

Diego Simeone’s side did not sell any of their top players and they also added Thomas Lemar and Rodri both of whom should get their La Liga debut in this game.

Valencia’s challenge in this campaign is to be able to replicate the domestic success they had last season while also getting a good run in the UEFA Champions League.

Their run in the latter has been helped by the fact that they will not be going through the qualifiers; however, this game is still a very tough opening fixture for them.

Los Che has signed Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea and if the Belgian replicates the form he showed during his four month stint with Borussia Dortmund last season, they could have a star man on their hands.

Atleti have won 5 of the last 6 meetings between these clubs, and the two meetings between them last season produced just one goal, scored by Atleti at the Wanda Metropolitana.

Bookmakers favour Atletico to come out on top however the odds are extremely tight and many will fancy Valencia at the Mestalla.

Results of each team’s last 5 matches across all leagues and competitions

Valencia

LAST FIVE GAMES						DATE	COMPETITION
W	Everton		2-3		Valencia	4 Aug, 2018	Friendly
D	Leicester City		1-1		Valencia	1 Aug, 2018	Friendly
L	PSV Eindhoven		2-1		Valencia	28 Jul, 2018	Friendly
D	Valencia		0-0		Lausanne Sports	24 Jul, 2018	Friendly
W	Galatasaray		1-2		Valencia	21 Jul, 2018	Friendly

Atletico Madrid

LAST FIVE GAMES						DATE	COMPETITION
L	Atletico Madrid		0-1		Internazionale	11 Aug, 2018	International Champions Cup
W	Cagliari		0-1		Atletico Madrid	8 Aug, 2018	Friendly
D	VfB Stuttgart		1-1		Atletico Madrid	5 Aug, 2018	Friendly
L	Paris Saint-Germain		3-2		Atletico Madrid	30 Jul, 2018	International Champions Cup
W	Atletico Madrid		1-1		Arsenal	26 Jul, 2018	International Champions Cup

H2H

LAST FIVE GAMES					DATE	COMPETITION
Atletico Madrid		1-0		Valencia	4 Feb, 2018	Spanish Primera División
Valencia		0-0		Atletico Madrid	9 Sep, 2017	Spanish Primera División
Atletico Madrid		3-0		Valencia	5 Mar, 2017	Spanish Primera División
Valencia		0-2		Atletico Madrid	2 Oct, 2016	Spanish Primera División
Valencia		1-3		Atletico Madrid	6 Mar, 2016	Spanish Primera División

Other fixtures taking place this week in the Spanish Primera:

Spanish Primera Table

Spanish Primera Results