Real Valladolid vs Atletico Madrid

Real Valladolid and Atletico Madrid are set to square off at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla in a lopsided La Liga contest.

Real Valladolid’s margin to the relegation zone has decreased from five to four points after a crucial 2-1 defeat against fellow contenders Valencia, leading to the end of their joint-longest unbeaten run in this La Liga (LL) season, which had lasted for three games (W2, D1). The newly appointed coach, Paulo Pezzolano, expressed disappointment and frustration as Valencia’s Javi Guerra scored a 90th-minute goal, denying them a valuable point that could have altered their position. Back to the Estadio Jose Zorrilla, where they’ve lost just one of their last six La Liga matches (W3, D2), Valladolid will be seeking amends for a midweek heartbreak. But considering they’ve suffered defeats in five of their six most recent top-flight home meetings with Atletico (D1), redemption looks highly unlikely.

In the meantime, Atletico Madrid fought back from a goal down to beat Mallorca 2-1 in midweek La Liga action, bouncing back from a frustrating 1-0 loss at Barcelona last weekend. Since that remains their only lost in 15 top-flight matches since mid-January (W11, D3), it’s no wonder ‘Los Colchoneros’ start this round 13 points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal, with an 11th straight top-four finish looking like a near-certainty. If if they drop points as they’ve done only twice on their last six La Liga travels (W4, D1, L1), the visitors should remain in cruising control of their Champions League ambitions. However, Diego Simeone’s men have reigned supreme against Valladolid of late, racking up an eye-catching 12 wins in their last 13 top-flight H2Hs (D1).