La Liga: Monday Night Football Could Be Thriller

Valencia vs Atletico Madrid

Two clubs who share ambition and a reminder of great times in the not-too-distant past will clash in La Liga on Monday night.

Valencia host Atletico Madrid in the final match of the weekend and, if truth be known, they probably have the same objectives this term – to qualify for the Champions League.

Valencia have pedigree in the tournament; they were beaten finalists in both 2000 and 2001, although have not made it for the past two seasons.

Atletico, who reached the final in 2014 and 2016, will see qualification as their minimum requirement given they were champions as recently as the previous season.

But in this SBOTOP writer’s mind, they will struggle to keep punching above their weight and, after winning La Liga in 2021, their title defence was all but over by last Christmas – seven days before to be precise.

So, there is plenty in common between these two clubs.

To add to the mix, this is also a clash between two former midfield heavyweights in the shape of Gennaro Gattuso and Diego Simeone at the respective helms so perhaps we can expect La Liga 2022 highlights.

Talking Points

Valencia’s meetings with the established big hitters in Spanish football have often ended in defeat, including the last time I covered them in action., and they clearly feel they need to strengthen given developments in recent days.

They have been busy with the signing of Turkish central defender Cenk Ozkacar on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old has arrived to strengthen central defence with an option to buy Ozkacar outright.

Los Che have still not added a reliable source of goals following the departure of Goncalo Guedes, although Bryan Gil and Edinson Cavani are being heavily linked with moves to Mestalla.

They have also signed Andre Almeida, 22, from Vitoria Guimaraes. The Portuguese midfielder has signed a six-year deal for a reported €7.5 million and should add creation in the middle of the park.

Atletico could also be busy before Thursday’s transfer deadline and are being  linked with former Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguilon from Spurs – the news broke shortly after reports of a deal between Nottingham Forest and Atletico for Renan Lodi.

If a deal is done, it won’t be in time for Reguilon to feature on Monday night.

As an aside, it will be interesting to see how much Antoine Griezmann features going forward.

The Frenchman is actually on loan at the club where he made his name and, should he play at least 45 minutes in 50% of their games this term, Los Rojiblancos will be forced to pay Barcelona €40 million.

It’s been suggested the club does not want to pay that fee and is willing to take measures to avoid doing so.

However, would Simeone really tolerate that if it hinders his team’s chances of progress?

We wait and see.

Injuries permitting, surely Griezmann will feature aplenty and will want to help Atletico bounce back immediately following their first home defeat since February last weekend, a 2-0 loss to Villarreal.

History

This is Valencia’s longest-ever winless streak against Atletico.

Los Che have not beaten them in each of their last 15 outings in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

The last Valencia success was in April 2014 when future Premier League players Andre Gomes and Nicolas Otamendi were among the scorers in a 3-1 win at the Mestalla.

The corresponding fixture last term was a thriller as the sides shared six goals.

Atletico led 1-0 and 3-1 with Luis Suarez, Griezmann and Sime Vrsalijko their scorers.

Then came the most dramatic of endings as, after an own goal, Valencia netted twice in stoppage time through Hugo Duro.

Atletico won the return in Madrid in what was another exciting contest and this time the revenge was all theirs.

After Yunus Musah and Duro earned Valencia a 2-0 advantage, Matheus Cunha pulled one back before Angel Correa (90) and Mario Hermoso (90+2) secured the points for Los Rojiblancos.

For the record, the very first time they locked horns was in January 1935 when Atletico ran out 5-2 winners at home.

Betting Tip 

Can we really expect the drama we had last season, not once but twice? Of course not.

Yet the SBOTOP La Liga 2022 betting odds are worth a considered look in many options, including plenty of goals.

I think this will end honours even and my two-star prediction is a draw.

 

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