Real Valladolid-Atlético Madrid: Possible XI, prediction and how to watch LaLiga Santander 2019

After a midweek win in Moscow, Atlético Madrid head to Castile and León for an old-school league fixture against Real Valladolid.

First contested in 1931, Valladolid-Atlético has been played 42 times in postwar LaLiga and the visitors have found much success in the matchup since 2010. The colchoneros have won eight in a row overall, and on four occasions away at Estadio José Zorrilla. Another win on Sunday would give Atleti a chance to enter the international break second in LaLiga, a point behind Real Madrid.

Despite having the worst goal return in the division, Valladolid finished 16th last season and sit 10th entering matchday eight. The Ronaldo Nazario-owned club lost key defender Fernando Calero this summer and spent just €1 million, but manager Sergio held onto key midfielders Rubén Alcaraz, Óscar Plano and Toni Villa — in addition to goalkeeper and captain Jordi Masip.

As for Atlético, Diego Simeone has all players available save the injured Vitolo and the out-of-favor Ivan Šaponjić.

Possible XI

Oblak; Trippier, Savić, Giménez, Lodi; Saúl, Thomas, Koke, João Félix; Costa, Morata.

Predicted scoreline

1-0 Atlético. I expect a really tight defensive battle in which Atlético will be challenged to take the game to the Pucela. It’s a good chance for another confident, possession-based display like we saw in Russia on Tuesday. I think Atlético go ahead in the first half — I’ll give the goal to Koke, as this seems the type of match where he’ll push up into the 18-yard box — and shut up shop in the second half on the way to a fifth consecutive clean sheet.

Jeremy’s record on the season: 6-3

How to watch

Date: Oct. 6, 2019

Location: Estadio José Zorrilla, Valladolid, Spain

Kickoff time: 4:00 p.m. CET, 3:00 p.m. GMT, 10:00 a.m. EST, 7:00 a.m. PST

Available TV/streaming: Movistar LaLiga (Spain), Premier Sports 1 (United Kingdom), beIN Sports, fubo.tv (United States), Eleven Sports 1 (Portugal), ESPN2 (Brazil), DIRECTV Sports (Colombia), Blue To Go Video Everywhere (Mexico), WOWOW (Japan)