La Liga: Seething Atletico Aiming to Rain on Real’s Championship Parade

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

With Real Madrid confirmed as 2021/22 La Liga champions, there’s not much to play for except for the three other Champions League spots.

And it’ll be a fiercely-contested during these next few weeks for Barcelona, Sevilla, and Atletico Madrid – who sit at second, third, and fourth respectively – while fifth and sixth-seeded Real Betis and Real Sociedad are both looking to sneak in.

So Atletico Madrid will have all the motivation when they host Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano this weekend since their job isn’t done yet, and because they’re hurt after ceding the domestic trophy to their city rivals.

This match would’ve been the title decider if the race is still close today, but Atletico Madrid are eager to get a measure of revenge against their visitors nonetheless.

The pre-match SBOTOP betting odds are slightly favouring Los Rojiblancos because of this, which would somehow give Diego Simeone and co. some consolation should they claim all three points.

Talking Points

Atletico Madrid keen to lock top four place

With their top four spot far from being secured, Atletico Madrid’s La Liga 2022 results must improve in these next few weeks to salvage their campaign.

Since being eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals by Manchester City, Los Rojiblancos have been inconsistent – especially with their recent losses against weaker sides such as Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao.

Diego Simeone has been curiously experimenting with his formation and lineups which may have led to their mini-slump, but they need to tighten up with tougher games coming up. After Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid’s last three games will be against Elche, Sevilla, and Real Sociedad.

In their recent defeat against Athletic Bilbao, Diego Simeone used a 5-4-1 formation and he didn’t start the likes of Rodrigo De Paul, Koke, Matheus Cunha, and leading scorer Angel Correa.

Correa has 12 goals and five assists and after being rested, he should get the starting nod to partner up with either Luis Suarez, Joao Felix, or Antoine Griezmann. Meanwhile, the rest of the starting XI should remain unchanged.

Real Madrid have bigger fish to fry

We won’t blame Carlo Ancelotti if he’ll rest most of his players since they’re on the cusp of making history yet again, as they’re fresh from a wild comeback against Manchester City to secure their date with Liverpool in the Champions League final.

Rodrygo recorded the brace to nullify Riyad Mahrez’s goal, while Karim Benzema hit the dagger to break the Sky Blues’ hearts with his 95^th-minute penalty.

Ancelotti would be prudent to rest Benzema especially with his share of niggling injuries, so Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio are likely to soak up more attacking responsibilities up front.

This is the same case for Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric since they’re all on the wrong side of their 30’s, so Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, and Eduardo Camavinga will all be given a chance to get more playing time.

History

Atletico Madrid are hopeful to end their drought against Real Madrid. Prior to Sunday night, Real Madrid haven’t lost in eight straight matches against Atletico Madrid in all competitions (W4, D4) while securing a clean sheet in six of them.

Real Madrid have been solid on the road either as they’ve won their last five away league matches while scoring three goals in three of them. They haven’t won six in a row away from home in La Liga since their 13-game winning streak in 2017.

Los Rojiblancos have only lost once in their last 10 league home games. However, they have the worse recent form compared to Los Blancos with two wins, two losses, and one draw in their last five league matches, whereas their visitors have won all five in the same span.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side won in their reverse fixture last December as Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio led Los Blancos to a 2-0 win.

Betting Tip

The La Liga 2022 odds are for Atletico Madrid in this contest. Los Rojiblancos are priced at 2.09, while Real Madrid aren’t far behind at 3.35 and a draw is pegged at 3.45 in the 1X2 market.

With Real Madrid’s focus now on the Champions League final, we don’t expect them to put in much effort here since this is pretty much a no-bearing contest. Real Madrid are indirectly doing Atletico Madrid a favour. And if the hosts can’t capitalize, that would complicate their Champions League hopes especially if Real Betis and Real Sociedad win their respective matches this weekend.

 

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