On Saturday night, it’s Atletico Madrid vs Valencia at the Wanda Metropolitano, in a vital La Liga encounter for the two teams involved.

ATLETICO MADRID

The team from the Spanish capital head into this game on the back of three games without a win. A 2-0 midweek Copa del Rey defeat at Real Sociedad followed a 2-1 home defeat by Athletic Club in La Liga.

The reigning champions have only won once in their last six matches in La Liga. The poor recent run of form has Diego Simeone’s team clinging on to a top-four spot.

Unusually for Atletico, they have been poor in defence of late, conceding at least two goals in five of their previous six outings in La Liga. However, the champions have still won three of their last four home games in the Spanish top-flight.

Valencia

Los Che picked up a creditable 1-1 draw against title-challenging Sevilla in midweek. The draw continued a winless streak for the visitors that is now at three La Liga games for Valencia. The draw at least ended a short two-losing streak for the Los Che. The recent lull in form has seen the visitors slip to ninth place in the table.

Valencia have not been great travellers of late, as they have won just two of their previous eight away games on the road in La Liga. The fact that Jose Bordalas’ team has conceded at least three goals in four of their previous six matches in the Spanish top-flight has certainly not helped them pick up away points.

Atletico Madrid vs Valencia Team News

Stefan Savic, Marcos Llorente, Antoine Griezmann and Geoffrey Kondogbia could all miss out for Atletico. Meanwhile, Valencia are likely to be without star attacking midfielder Carles Soler and Thierry Correia through injury, while Daniel Wass, Helder Costa and Maxi Gómez could miss out through illness.