Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
Atlético Madrid have already been eliminated from both European competitions and the Copa del Rey, and now turn their full focus to La Liga, where the squad still hold an outside chance of claiming the title. Real Valladolid, on the other hand, are virtually relegated and are likely to confirm their drop to the Segunda División in the coming rounds. The visitors are on a dreadful losing run and rarely manage to find the net, suggesting the home side’s defence is unlikely to be seriously tested.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid have been especially strong at home, with their only recent setback at the Metropolitano coming in a 2:4 loss to Barcelona. They hold the fourth-best attacking record in La Liga with 49 goals, driven by a front three in outstanding form. Alexander Sørloth, Antoine Griezmann, and Julián Álvarez have accounted for 31 of those goals. Defensively, Atlético Madrid remain among the league’s most solid, with just 24 goals conceded — the best record in the division. Jan Oblak leads La Liga in clean sheets as a result.
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid have lost four matches in a row and have collected only four points from 12 rounds since the start of the year. They sit at the foot of the standings, 14 points adrift of safety. The visitors have struggled across all areas, scoring only 19 goals and conceding 69 — both the worst statistics in La Liga. To compound their problems, Real Valladolid have lost their first-choice goalkeeper Karl Hein to injury, while backup André Ferreira conceded four goals in a recent 0:4 defeat to Getafe.
Atlético Madrid vs Real Valladolid Prediction
Atlético Madrid are at home, still in the title hunt, and previously dismantled Real Valladolid (5:0) in the reverse fixture. The visitors arrive in dismal form and will be without their starting goalkeeper. This looks set to be a comfortable win for the hosts, who should prevail by at least two goals.
