Atletico Madrid 3-0 Real Valladolid – Betting Review
Match Summary
Atletico Madrid and their under-pressure Diego Simeone emphatically hit back and critics by wiping away Real Valladolid in a highly impressive first-half performance. They led 3-0 at the break and then sat off and comfortably saw out the win.
After an indifferent run of just one win in six La Liga outings, Atlético Madrid found their stride with a much-needed and entertaining 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid.
The win boosted their chances of securing a top-four finish but more important for the boss Simeone, was the resounding nature of the win.
It was not just about getting the points, the manager had been told to open up more and stop playing ugly. On both counts on this occasion, Diego Simeone had the answers.
A victory against a struggling Real Valladolid was imperative for the club and Simeone would have been greatly relieved when the team got off to the perfect start, with Morata sending the host ahead.
Antoine Griezmann was superb in a very strong first half and he set up the improving Álvaro Morata, who converted with confidence for 1-0.
Having provided the first, Griezmann got himself on the scoresheet moments later, turning home Molina’s delivery.
Atlético players put in a showing that reflected perfectly on the boss. And their high intensity sent them into a 3-0 lead before the break.
Griezmann was pulling the strings, he floated a free-kick into the area which Mario Hermoso managed to tuck home.
Valladolid knew the game was gone and so the second half was a non-event as Atletico dropped the ambition and intensity.
Valladolid was allowed to have the ball and they made a good fist of trying to get the result to look respectable. Álvaro Aguado flashed an effort agonisingly wide of the post while the home side had the odd opening for the 4th goal.
In a rare host attack, Ángel Correa crashed an effort off both posts before the ball bounced away to safety.
It was a successful night for Atlético and Simeone, who dropped their intensity hugely to rest their legs in the final quarter or so of the match.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first where the big favourite ran out extremely easy winners. Atletico Madrid fully justified their to-win price @ 1.39.
Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest where once more, the host fully justified their start. Atletico Madrid gave away a -1.25 start and to be fair to them, made easy work of that. They ultimately exceeded the market expectations and won @ 1.89. Valladolid failed to make it difficult in part due to their shortcomings, but fair to say Atletico put extra effort in for their under-pressure boss here.
Looking at The Under/Over market last of all which was at 2.5. Over won by the halftime break @ 1.88. Atletico’s desire to reflect well on a manager who was under pressure for making them boring helped deliver on goals here. The second half was flat and with no goals but all things considered, the Over 2.5 goal line wasn’t wrong here.
