Atletico Madrid v Malaga - La Liga Preview

Premier League

Football
Published: 06/05/2014

With just two games to go in this La Liga season, Atletico Madrid retain their hopes of pulling off a supremely unlikely title victory. However, Atleti will be disappointed that they were turned over last time out by Levante, meaning that both Real Madrid and Barcelona’s hopes remain very much alive, particularly as Atletico still have to travel to the Camp Nou on the final day of the league season.

It would be a desperately sad finish to the season if Atletico were to completely miss out on a trophy. But the more fatalistic Atleti supporters must be fearing this after the defeat to Levante. Traditionally, their record at the Camp Nou is not all that great, and even if they have had something of an Indian sign over Barca this season, it will still be a testing trip. Atletico know now that as things stand, a Barca victory could evelate them above Atleti, while such a result would also open the door for bitter city neighbours and rivals Real Madrid.

Probably most neutrals will hope that Atletico can break the El Clasico stranglehold over the Spanish title. Certainly when the season begun, few people would have given them much hope of doing so, even though they would have been strongly fancied to qualify for the Champions League. Real and Barca have been so wealthy and so dominant for what seems like so long that the idea of anything other than a member of this gilded duopoly fighting for the title seemed pretty ridiculous at the start of the season.

Atleti have completely denied such assumptions, though, playing some very stylish and combative football, with the young midfield player Koke and powerful striker Diego Costa particularly prominent. Both of these two look to have booked their seat on the Spanish plane which will set off to the World Cup, which is no mean feat given the embarrassment of riches that Spain have at their disposal. Veteran David Villa is still in with a shout as well, while full-back Juanfran should go to Brazil as well, and though midfielder Mario Suárez will miss the cut, he has at least made his international debut.

But can Atletico keep their La Liga title dreams on track by beating Malaga? The away side, more associated with beach holidays, are a pretty decent outfit, and should not be considered a pushover. However, under usual circumstances, a home game for Atletico against a mid-table Malaga side who have lost their last two La Liga fixtures and have little or nothing to play for would look to offer a comfortable three points. Of course, the situation is such that this is likely to be a nervy encounter.

Atletico look to be beginning to feel the pressure a little now, and it is quite clear that the La Liga title race is wide open again now. They could easily stumble again here. But Atleti have been awesome at home this season, Spain’s only unbeaten side on home turf, and I think they might just nick a 1-0 win.

Safe Bet – Under 2.5 goals (6/4 with BetVictor) Value Bet – Atletico Madrid to win by 1 goal (16/5 with BetVictor)

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (06/05/2014) but are subject to change.

06/05/2014     © Frixo 2024

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