Match Overview
Atletico Madrid welcome Valencia for a La Liga clash that could shape momentum heading into the winter period. The hosts lean on a strong home trend built on control, compact defending, and quick transitions. Valencia arrive looking to steady an inconsistent away run while managing several fitness concerns. With recent meetings producing goals, both sides will aim to impose structure early and control key midfield zones.
- Fixture: Atletico Madrid vs Valencia
- Competition: La Liga
- Venue: Not provided
- Date: 13-12-2025
- Kickoff: / 13:00 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid
- J. Oblak
- D. Hancko
- C. Lenglet
- N. Molina
- Robin Le Normand
- Pablo Barrios
- Koke
- C. Gallagher
- Carlos Martín
- J. Álvarez
- G. Simeone
Valencia
- Julen Agirrezabala
- César Tárrega
- José Gayà
- Copete
- Thierry Correia
- Javi Guerra
- Pepelu
- B. Santamaria
- Andre Almeida
- A. Danjuma
- Luis Rioja
Injury & Suspension Report
Atletico Madrid
- Alex Baena – Hamstring Injury
- J. Giménez – Muscle Injury
- Marcos Llorente – Muscle Injury
- C. Lenglet – Muscle Injury
Valencia
- Luis Rioja – Illness
- José Gayà – Illness
- Javi Guerra – Illness
- M. Diakhaby – Hamstring Injury
- César Tárrega – Yellow Cards
Head-to-Head
Across 68 historical meetings, Atletico Madrid have 28 wins, Valencia have 21, and 19 matches ended level. Recent encounters have trended open, with the last nine producing a little over three goals per game, suggesting chances at both ends when these teams meet.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Atletico Madrid’s recent home pattern has featured sustained control, compact spacing, and direct transitions that create high-quality chances. The hosts’ five-match home surge cited in recent form notes was built on strong pressing and efficiency in the final third, with the back line generally limiting clear looks. Here, Jan Oblak’s command behind a unit anchored by Robin Le Normand and D. Hancko is key, while width from Nahuel Molina can stretch Valencia’s shape. In midfield, Koke’s tempo-setting alongside Conor Gallagher’s intensity and Pablo Barrios’ mobility underpins the press-to-possess cycle.
Valencia’s away returns have been mixed, with two defeats and two draws in their last five on the road and seven goals scored in that span. They have struggled to beat similarly placed teams, which places emphasis on control from Pepelu and progression from Andre Almeida to link with A. Danjuma and Luis Rioja. Fitness flags complicate the visitors’ plan: Gayà, Javi Guerra, and Rioja are all listed with illness, while Tárrega carries a yellow-card note. If available, full-backs Gayà and Thierry Correia will be crucial to resisting Atletico’s wide overloads and transition surges.
Valencia risks slipping into the Segunda if they fall against Atletico Madrid
The pressure on Valencia is clear: away form needs an uptick, and managing absences will be pivotal. Compact distances between midfield and defense, plus quick counters to exploit space behind Atletico’s advancing full-backs, represent their most reliable route. Pepelu’s screening and second-ball control must be precise, and Danjuma’s direct threat can test Atletico if the visitors transition cleanly.
Tactically, this may hinge on who wins the midfield duels and protects defensive zones in transition. Atletico’s structure should generate territory and set-piece opportunities, while Valencia must be efficient with limited chances. Given the recent head-to-head trend toward goals, both sides could create, but Atletico’s home control and depth point to a narrow edge.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Valencia.