Daily Dynamo Selection – Atletico Madrid v Valencia
Naturally enough most people saw this season's La Liga title race as a two-horse one between the established elite of the league. The El Clasico rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid looked to be so far ahead of the field in financial terms that they seemed certain to dominate the division again. But Atletico have denied these pre-season predictions by playing some of the most attractive and composed football in Spain, and their goalless draw with Barca at the weekend kept them in real contention at the top.
Thus, Madrid's second club also have an excellent hope of winning this season's Copa del Rey, and they will be determined to see off the resolute challenge of Valencia in this second-leg. The once great club secured a 1-1 draw in the first-leg, but the days of them boasting Juan Mata, David Silva and David Villa (who will line up against them in this match) in their line-up are long gone, and the Valencianistas are currently twenty points adrift of Atletico in the La Liga table, having won seven and lost ten games this season.
They have particularly struggled on their travels, winning only two La Liga matches thus far away from home, and scoring only eight goals in nine fixtures. It seems highly unlikely that they will trouble an Atletico side here who have excelled at home, with the 0-0 draw with Barca representing their first points dropped at home this season. Thus, I believe Atletico will win comfortably here.
Selections: Safe bet – Atletico Madrid to win (4/11 with Bet365), Value bet – Atletico Madrid to win by 2 goals (16/5 with Paddy Power)
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