Valencia vs. Atletico Madrid Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 22 February 2025 - bettingexpert
Valencia will host Atletico Madrid at the iconic Estadio Mestalla on Saturday, 22 February 2025, for a crucial LaLiga clash. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:30, with referee Mateo Busquets officiating, known for his penchant for handing out yellow cards, averaging 6.2 per game.
This game is pivotal for both teams for different reasons. Valencia, languishing in 18th place with 23 points, is desperate to escape the relegation zone. In contrast, Atletico Madrid, sitting comfortably in 3rd place with 50 points, aims to close the gap on the league leaders.
Recent form highlights the disparity between the teams. Valencia has had a mixed bag of results (DWLWL) but has shown signs of improvement with 10 points from their last five games. Atletico (DDWWW), after solid outings, including a dominating 5-0 victory over Getafe, are the bookmakers’ favourites.
Previous encounters have favoured Atletico, with the most recent match ending in a 3-0 win for them. Despite Valencia’s home advantage, our match prediction leans towards an Atletico Madrid victory, with recommended bet odds at 1.98. Expect a tightly contested match with fewer than 2.5 goals, emphasizing Atletico’s defensive solidity and Valencia’s struggle to keep clean sheets.
Valencia vs Atletico Madrid Prediction & Betting Tip
Recommended bet: Atletico Madrid to win
Atletico Madrid is the favorite here, and for good reason. They are in fine form and currently sit in 3rd place, while Valencia is struggling in the relegation zone.
| Valencia vs Atletico Madrid Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Atletico Madrid to win | 1.90 |
- Atletico Madrid has a strong defense, which has helped them achieve two clean sheets in their last five games.
- Valencia has conceded an average of 1.5 goals per game this season and has struggled to maintain consistency.
- The last encounter between these two teams ended with a convincing 3-0 win for Atletico Madrid.
Expect a competitive match but one where Atletico Madrid’s quality should shine through.
Valencia vs Atletico Madrid Preview
Context: Primetime La Liga Action
This La Liga fixture brings together two teams with contrasting fortunes this season: Valencia and Atletico Madrid. While Atletico Madrid have been solid contenders, sitting comfortably in 3rd place, Valencia find themselves battling in the relegation zone.
Venue: Mestalla Stadium
Mestalla Stadium, Valencia’s home ground, has seen better days, both for the team and its passionate supporters. Known for its electric atmosphere, Valencia fans will hope it can serve as an inspiration to lift their team in this crucial clash.
Recent Form and Analysis
Valencia
Valencia have been struggling this season, marked by inconsistent performances and a defense that’s leaked 1.5 goals per game. They’ve shown flashes of promise but haven’t managed to put together consistent performances. In their last five games, they’ve managed only one win, and sitting in the relegation zone is indicative of their current struggles.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, have been formidable. They boast a strong defense that’s helped them achieve two clean sheets in their last five outings. Known for their disciplined approach and strategic mastery under Diego Simeone, they come into this match as clear favorites. Their last encounter against Valencia ended in a convincing 3-0 victory.
Key Players
- Valencia: Much of the onus will be on Gonçalo Guedes to create and capitalize on scoring opportunities. He’s been a bright spot in an otherwise dim season for Valencia.
- Atletico Madrid: Luis Suárez and João Félix are the danger men up front, while Jan Oblak between the sticks ensures defensive stability. Combining these elements makes Atletico particularly tough to beat.
What to Expect
Expect a competitive match but one where Atletico Madrid’s quality should shine through. Valencia will need to capitalize on their home advantage and look to disrupt Atletico’s rhythm. However, Atletico’s structured gameplay, coupled with their superior form, gives them the edge.
Prediction & Betting Tip
Recommended Bet: Atletico Madrid to win.
The odds are currently set at 1.90, indicating a general consensus on Atletico’s favoritism.
- Atletico Madrid’s strong defense has clinched two clean sheets in their last five games.
- Valencia’s consistency woes are reflected in their average concession of 1.5 goals per game this season.
- Their recent head-to-head went decisively in Atletico Madrid’s favor with a 3-0 win.
Come matchday, we’ll see if Valencia can muster enough resilience to challenge the high-flying Atletico or if the visitors will continue their march up the La Liga table.
Valencia Team Analysis
Valencia Recent Performance ()
Valencia has had a mixed bag of results recently, reflecting their inconsistent season. Here’s a look at their last five matches:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Villarreal | Valencia | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Valencia | Leganes | 2-0 (Win) |
| Valencia | Barcelona | 0-5 (Loss) |
| Valencia | Celta Vigo | 2-1 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Valencia | 7-1 (Loss) |
Despite their position in the relegation zone, Valencia has managed 10 points from their last 5 games, showing signs of improvement.
Their defense has been leaky, conceding 1.5 goals per game on average. However, they have scored in 71% of their matches this season with an average of 1.20 goals per game in the last five outings. Clean sheets have been a rarity, with only one in their last five games.
Carlos Corberán will hope his side can leverage their recent positive results and home advantage to pull off an upset against Atletico Madrid.
Valencia Key Players
Valencia’s squad, fighting to escape relegation, will heavily rely on key performers to make an impact against Atletico Madrid.
Hugo Duro has been a crucial player for Valencia, leading the team’s goal tally with 7 goals this season. His efforts up front will be essential, especially considering the solid defense of Atletico.
Diego López and André Almeida are also expected to play significant roles in the midfield, attempting to control possession and create chances.
Key individual battles to watch include Hugo Duro against Atletico’s strong defenders, particularly Robin Le Normand and Clément Lenglet.
Expected lineup for Valencia:
- Goalkeeper: Giorgi Mamardashvili
- Defenders: Dimitri Foulquier, César Tárrega, Cristhian Mosquera, José Gayà
- Midfielders: Javi Guerra, Enzo Barrenechea, Luis Rioja, Diego López, André Almeida
- Forward: Sadiq Umar
These players must be at their best to challenge Atletico and secure crucial points.
Valencia Suspensions & Injuries
Valencia is dealing with a crucial injury that could impact their performance against Atletico Madrid.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Thierry Correia | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
Thierry Correia is out for the rest of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury, leaving a significant gap in Valencia’s defense.
These absences put additional pressure on the available defenders like Dimitri Foulquier and Cesar Tarrega to step up. This lack of depth might influence coach Carlos Corberán’s tactics, pushing him toward a more conservative approach to avoid exposing their weakened defensive line.
Valencia Tactics and Formation
Valencia Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Hugo Duro
- Midfield Duo: Javier Guerra, Enzo Barrenechea
- Defensive Strength: Despite a shaky season, they’ve secured two clean sheets in their last five games.
Carlos Corberán is likely to opt for a balanced 4-3-3 formation, aiming to solidify his midfield and defense against a formidable Atletico Madrid side. In attack, Hugo Duro will be pivotal, supported by dynamic wingers, Luis Rioja and André Almeida. The midfield duo, Guerra and Barrenechea, will be tasked with both shielding the defense and creating transitions. Expect Valencia to adopt a reactive approach, focusing on counter-attacks and set-pieces to exploit Atletico’s occasional vulnerabilities.
Atletico Madrid Team Analysis
Atletico Madrid Recent Performance
Atletico Madrid has been in fine form, boasting an unbeaten streak in their last five matches, displaying a balanced approach with 2 draws and 3 wins. Here’s how they’ve fared:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Atletico Madrid | Celta Vigo | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Real Madrid | Atletico Madrid | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Atletico Madrid | Getafe | 5-0 (Win) |
| Atletico Madrid | Mallorca | 2-0 (Win) |
| Salzburg | Atletico Madrid | 1-4 (Win) |
Despite a couple of draws, Atletico’s recent performances have seen them net an impressive average of 2.60 goals per match, while also keeping 2 clean sheets in their last five games.
Notably, their defense, anchored by Jan Oblak, has been solid, and their attacking prowess, led by Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Soerloth, has been commendable. This combination of sturdy defense and potent attack makes them formidable contenders.
Atletico Madrid Key Players
Expected lineup for Atletico Madrid:
- Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
- Defenders: Robin Le Normand, Clement Lenglet, Cesar Azpilicueta
- Midfielders: Nahuel Molina Lucero, Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo De Paul, Samuel Dias Lino
- Attackers: Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez
Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sørloth (9 goals) lead the charge for Atletico.
Griezmann, along with Rodrigo De Paul, will look to exploit Valencia’s fragile defense.
Another key battle to watch will be Valencia’s defense versus Giuliano Simeone’s pace and Griezmann’s creativity.
Atletico’s dependable backline, led by Jan Oblak, will face Hugo Duro’s threat, adding an interesting dynamic to the clash.
Atletico Madrid Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Koke | Muscle injury | Early March 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Pablo Barrios | Red card | 1 match left |
Atletico Madrid will miss the services of Koke in midfield due to a muscle injury that has sidelined him until early March 2025. His absence might affect the team’s midfield solidity and transition play.
Additionally, Pablo Barrios is suspended for this match due to a red card, leaving a gap in their midfield options. This could impact their depth and flexibility during the game, especially in their midfield rotations. This makes Rodrigo De Paul’s performance even more crucial for controlling the game against Valencia.
Atletico Madrid Tactics and Formation
Atletico Madrid’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Defensive Base:
- Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak anchors the defensive line with his remarkable shot-stopping abilities.
- Back Three: Robin Le Normand, Clement Lenglet, and Cesar Azpilicueta provide stability, with Nahuel Molina pushing forward on the right.
- Midfield Engine:
- Central Roles: Rodrigo De Paul and Marcos Llorente drive creativity and ball recovery.
- Wide Options: Samuel Dias Lino complements on the left, facilitating attacks and offering support to the backline.
- Front Trio:
- Key Players: Antoine Griezmann leads with dazzling playmaking from the front.
- Support Cast: Giuliano Simeone and Julián Álvarez offer speed and sharp finishing.
Atletico relies on solid defensive coordination and pressing tactics, leveraging quick transitions and exploiting wide areas, ensuring dominance and advancing their championship aspirations.
Valencia vs Atletico Madrid Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Valencia | Atletico Madrid | 0-1 |
| Atletico Madrid | Valencia | 3-0 |
| Valencia | Atletico Madrid | 3-0 |
| Atletico Madrid | Valencia | 2-0 |
| Atletico Madrid | Valencia | 3-0 |
In recent meetings, Atletico Madrid has generally had the upper hand over Valencia, with four wins in the last five encounters. Valencia did manage a notable 3-0 victory at home back in September 2023, but overall, Atletico has been dominant. The most recent matchup in September 2024 saw Atletico Madrid clinch a decisive 3-0 win.
These stats suggest that Atletico Madrid will likely approach the game with confidence, while Valencia will look to harness their historic home victory as motivation.
Odds accurate as of {21.02.2025 13:39}, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
