Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico are currently fourth in the La Liga table, picking up 41 points from their 20 matches this season, while an in-form Valencia are seventh, boasting 32 points from their opening 21 fixtures of 2023-24.

Match preview

Atletico confirmed their position in the final four of the Copa del Rey on Thursday evening courtesy of a 1-0 success over Sevilla, with Memphis Depay netting the only goal of the match in the 79th minute.

Diego Simeone's side were also 1-0 winners over Granada in the league on Monday, with the result leaving them fourth in the table, picking up 41 points courtesy of a record of 13 wins, two draws and five losses from 20 matches.

Atletico are level on points with fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, while they sit 11 points behind division leaders Girona, with the capital outfit not in a title race at this moment in time.

The Red and Whites will view the Copa del Rey as their best chance of securing silverware this term, but they are also present in the knockout round of the Champions League and will head to Inter Milan for the first leg of their last-16 affair on February 20.

Atletico have been strong at home in the league this season, winning nine and drawing one of their 10 matches, but Valencia will enter Sunday's contest full of confidence due to their excellent run of form.

Valencia have been victorious in each of their last four league matches, including a 1-0 success over high-flying Athletic last weekend, and they are unbeaten in Spain's top flight since the start of December.

Los Che's strong run has seen them move into seventh position in the table, just three points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, with the team very much in the mix for a European finish.

Valencia finished 16th in Spain's top flight last season, which proved to be their joint-worst final spot since being relegated at the end of the 1985-86 campaign.

The six-time Spanish champions were fourth as recently as 2018-19, though, and securing a top-six finish this term would be a huge achievement for Ruben Baraja's side considering the inexperience in the squad.

Valencia recorded a 3-0 victory over Atletico in the reverse match earlier this season, but they suffered a 3-0 loss when they visited Wanda Metropolitano last term and have not beaten the capital giants away from home in Spain's top flight since February 2011.

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Valencia La Liga form:

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Team News

Atletico will again be without the services of two first-team players, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Thomas Lemar unavailable for selection.

The Red and Whites did not pick up any fresh issues against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey, and it would not be a surprise to see a similar XI take to the field for this match.

The only change could come in central midfield, where Marcos Llorente is pushing to return, but Memphis will have to accept a spot on the bench once again despite his goal against Sevilla, with Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata the first-choice front two for the hosts.

Valencia will again be without Andre Almeida due to a back problem, while Sergi Canos suffered a hamstring injury in the early stages of the clash with Athletic last time out.

Javi Guerra could potentially be introduced in a wide area as Canos's replacement, with Diego Lopez and Hugo Duro again operating as the front two for the in-form visitors.

Los Che will also have to again work around the absences of Selim Amallah and Mouctar Diakhaby, who are representing Morocco and Guinea respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Lino; Morata, Griezmann

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Paulista, Gaya; F Perez, Guillamon, Pepelu, Guerra; Duro, D Lopez

We say: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Valencia

It is almost 13 years since Valencia last beat Atletico away in the league, so it is very difficult to back them to win this game even considering their strong form. Atletico's home record this season has been excellent, meanwhile, and we are expecting Simeone's side to edge a close game here.

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