Atletico Madrid vs Girona
The Civitas Metropolitano Stadium is the venue to be at this weekend as two La Liga big guns clash, when Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid welcomes Michel’s Girona.
Both teams started the new campaign with a draw, as Atletico drew 2-2 away to Villarreal while Girona drew 1-1 away to Real Betis.
And of the big five, only Barcelona won, beating Valencia 2-1, while Real Madrid were held away to Real Mallorca, and Real Sociedad were shocked by a home defeat to Rayo Vallecano.
The La Liga 2024 betting odds here at SBOTOP make Los Rojiblancos third favourites to win the title at a price of 9.00, with Los Gironistas joint fourth alongside Real Sociedad at odds of 35.00. So this could be an early six-pointer.
But for my money, after gate-crashing the top three last season, I don’t think Girona will be able to live with the pace at the top this year, and I like the look of Atletico Madrid.
Simeone will be plotting an assault on the El Clasico two and, to be successful, his team needs to turn its home into a fortress starting on Sunday.
Talking Points
Alvarez joins Atleti’s new look attack
For many years, Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have been famous for its shutout capability, the knack of defending like tigers and striking like a cobra. And the 1-0 specialists won the La Liga title in 2021.
Since then, Real Madrid have won two titles and Barcelona one, and they are backed to fight it out again. But Atleti have worked well in the transfer market over the summer, and they have as exciting an attack as you can find in European football.
One of the biggest La Liga 2024 news stories is the signing of Argentine striker Julian Alvarez from Manchester City, which has really made people sit up and take notice.
The 24-year-old made his switch at a fee of £81 million, and he’s worth every penny when you compare the fee to the £113 million Atleti paid for Joao Felix a while back.
Alvarez is a Rolls Royce of a forward, selfless and skilful in equal measure. He works hard for his teammates and can be lethal when he has an opportunity, scoring 20 goals in 67 games for the Sky Blues, though many of his appearances are from the bench.
He also has nine goals from 36 for Argentina, and Alvarez’ best days are ahead of him, and many of them could now be in Madrid.
Before the arrival of Alvarez, Los Rojiblancos had already signed Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth from Villarreal, and he scored the equaliser when Atleti met his old club last week.
Now 28 years of age, Sorloth is in his prime and at 6’5”, he is a huge threat in the air. He narrowly missed out on winning the 2024 La Liga Golden Boot, just one goal behind Girona’s Artem Dovbyk, and Sorloth has moved to the Civitas on a four-year deal at a cost to Atleti of another cool €35 million.
The addition of Alvarez and Sorloth to a frontline, which includes Antoine Griezmann and with the ever-dangerous Marcos Llorente in behind, signals an exciting year ahead for Atleti fans.
Los Rojiblancos will score goals, but Simeone being Simeone, he will not be happy to see his team concede two in one game again any time soon.
He has added Robin Le Normand to his backline in a £35 million switch from Real Sociedad, while midfield dynamo Conor Gallagher has signed from Chelsea with Joao Felix going the other way.
Michel’s Girona rebuild
A trip away to Real Betis on the opening weekend was a real test for Girona, and Michel will be delighted his team fought hard and came away with a well-earned point. But with another extremely tough gig again this weekend, the Girona boss will hope his new look side can cope.
He has lost two big players in the summer dealings. Gone for big money are 2024 La Liga top scorer Dovbyk to AS Roma and midfield ace Aleix Garcia to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Arriving at the Catalonian club are striker Abel Ruiz from Braga and centre-back Ladislav Krejci from Sparta Prague for a combined fee of €17 million, while winger Bryan Gil has landed from Tottenham and defencive midfielder Oriol Romelu has switched from neighbours Barcelona.
One of Michel’s smartest moves could be the signing of midfielder Donny van de Beek from Manchester United for a nominal fee. The Dutch ace struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, and he is a class act with a point to prove.
History
With four wins to one and five draws over the 10 meetings, Los Rojiblancos have been tough opposition for the La Liga upstarts.
Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last five home games against Girona, winning 3-1 last season as the effervescent Griezmann scored twice.
Betting Tips
At a price of 1.59, Los Rojiblancos are hot favourites to start the new campaign with a win, while Girona are priced at 4.44, and the draw is at 3.65.
A 2-0 home win is available at 8.10, and 2-1 is at 7.04, the lowest priced scoreline. If Simeone’s Atleti can quickly revert to their defencively efficient best, then a shutout and a home win will be the perfect start.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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