Atletico Madrid's Fortress
Atletico Madrid, known for their defensive solidity and tactical discipline, are set to host Valencia CF at the Wanda Metropolitano. The home team has been in formidable form, boasting an impressive streak of 11 consecutive home wins. Their fortress-like defense has been a key factor, with Atletico not losing any of their last 16 home matches. This resilience is further highlighted by their ability to score early, with 29% of their goals coming in the first 15 minutes of play.
Valencia's Struggles on the Road
Valencia CF, on the other hand, have faced challenges away from home, failing to secure a win in their last seven away matches in La Liga. Their away record this season stands at 0-3-4, indicating a struggle to convert opportunities into victories. While they have shown some resilience with a recent unbeaten streak, their inability to score in four of their seven away matches this season is a concern.
Head-to-Head Dominance
Historically, Atletico Madrid have had the upper hand in this fixture, winning 19 of the last 34 home encounters against Valencia. The most common result between these two teams is a 1-0 victory for Atletico, a testament to their defensive prowess. Last season, Atletico dominated Valencia with two 3-0 victories, showcasing their attacking capabilities as well.
Prediction and Key Players
Given the current form and historical data, Atletico Madrid are favorites to win this match. Julian Alvarez, Atletico's top scorer with 7 goals, will be a key player to watch. Valencia's Hugo Duro Perales, with 4 goals, will need to find a way past Atletico's robust defense. However, with Valencia's recent struggles in front of goal, it's likely that Atletico will keep a clean sheet. Therefore, the prediction is a home win for Atletico Madrid, with both teams not scoring.