Valladolid vs Atl. Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-04-29 19:00.
Real Valladolidâs bridge to the relegation zone shrunk from five points to four following a critical 2-1 loss away to direct competitors Valencia, subsequently ending their joint-longest undefeated period this La Liga (LL) season which had stood at three games (W2, D1). New manager Paulo Pezzolano was left with a âbitter feelingâ after a 90th minute match-winner from Valenciaâs Javi Guerra denied them a âgolden pointâ.
Pezzolano pointed to âimbalancesâ that need urgent fixing, not least because upcoming opponents AtlĂ©tico Madrid present the first of three consecutive league games against clubs currently higher than Valladolid in the table. His club have managed to grind out three home wins against such opposition (W3, D3, L4), the third of which came in their most recent outing (W 1-0 v Girona).
After their come-from-behind triumph at home to Mallorca (3-1), coincidentally their first win from eight attempts this LL season after conceding the opening goal (D1, L6), AtlĂ©tico could be just a couple of victories away from confirming their place in yet another UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage next season. Manager Diego Simeone is not resting comfortably yet, telling the media: âIf you can't finish first, the best thing that can happen to you is to finish second. We were taught this as kids.â
Whether Simeone will still be at the helm for an 11th consecutive UCL remains the subject of ongoing speculation, but for now his task is to negotiate a mounting injury list that has left JosĂ© MarĂa GimĂ©nez and Mario Hermoso as the only remaining recognised centre-backs at his disposal. Perhaps heâll have to wait a bit longer for the reward of a clean sheet after his side conceded in each of their last four LL outings (W3, L1).
Players to watch: Monchu has reestablished himself as a regular Valladolid starter courtesy of goals in their last two LL home outings. After two assists against Mallorca, Antoine Griezmann could have a taste for goals of his own. His club has won each of his last 13 goalscoring appearances across all competitions and he has nine goals in H2Hs against Valladolid, never once appearing on the losing side (W8, D2).
Hot streak: Valladolid have not won any of their last 13 LL games (D1, L12) against AtlĂ©tico, including eight losses âto nilâ.