Real Valladolid vs Atletico Madrid 15/12/18

15 December 2018

After being held to a goalless draw to Club Brugge in the final fixture of the Champions League group stage, Atletico Madrid return to La Liga, as they prepare to take on Real Valladolid at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla.

Sitting 12th in the table, with a record of five wins, five draws, and five losses, La Liga returnees come into this encounter following a promising 2-1 road win over Real Sociedad last weekend. Even more, success against the Basque side has brought the Blanquivioletas’ five-game LL winless run (D2, L3) to an end. However, the Pucelanos are still struggling to find the right balance at home this campaign, as they hope to break a three-game winless home streak (D2, L1). With just six goals scored in seven games at home, 13 overall, Sergio Gonzalez’s men hold the second-worst attacking record in the Spanish top tier competition.

Meanwhile, the visitors are looking to extend an impressive 11-game unbeaten run across all competitions (W7, D4). However, Los Colchoneros have played out four straight La Liga draws away from home, with three of them ending with the identical 1-1 scoreline. Atletico’s disastrous road performance in La Liga (W1, D5, L1) could play a major role in this encounter. Furthermore, their road matches this season have offered almost nothing to the neutral, as Los Rojiblancos’ tally of just 0.86 match goals per away game resides the second-lowest in the Spanish top flight. Diego Simeone’s main worry could be that his players have managed more than one goal per match just once on their seven road trips this campaign, which is the joint-worst record in La Liga.

Provisional line-up – Real Valladolid:

Gk: Jordi Masip Defense: Nacho – Kiko Olivas – Calero – Antonito Midfield: Toni – Michel – Oscar Plano – Alcaraz Attack: Keko – Enes Unal

Provisional line-up – Atletico Madrid:

Gk: Oblak Defense: Arias – Savic – Montero Rubio – Thomas Partey Midfield: Rodri – Saul Niguez – Thomas Lemar – Angel Correa Attack: Griezmann – Kalinic