Real Valladolid recovered well from the opening two defeats having picked up four points from next two games, but the match against La Liga leaders Atletico will be the first real test for Pucela. Los Colchoneros have yet to drop points in the league this season and they are looking to keep the 100% record intact at Jose Zorrilla.

Valladolid showing improvement

Having first shocked everyone by overcoming serious financial crisis to gain promotion to La Liga, Real Valladolid were one of the biggest surprise packages last season, as they avoided the relegation tussle alltogether under Miroslav Djukic. The talented coach has since left for Valencia and was replaced by Juan Ignacio Martinez, with the playing squad staying virtually the same. However, Pucela did not have the best of starts to the league campaign, suffering back to back defeats to Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal in their opening matches. Home win over Getafe helped improve the atmosphere in the team, whereas away draw with Elche can also be seen as a good result. Having picked up four points from as many matches, Valladolid currently sit in mid table, but the problem is they have yet to face Spain’s top sides. The match against red-hot Atletico is going to be their first high-profile game this season, and it is likely to show that Pucela don’t really have what it takes to mix it up with the best of them in the league. With key midfielder Patrick Ebert still battling a muscle injury, the hosts could be severely weakened in this clash.

The German winger is unlikely to start after missing several weeks of training, while Daniel Larsson and Victor Perez are out injured.

Atletico on fire

Atletico seem to be going from strength to strength under Diego Simeone, and if they continue their uptrend in fortunes, it won’t be long before they mount a serious title challenge in La Liga. Two draws in the Super Cup tie against Barcelona went on to show that los Colchoneros have closed the gap behind the El Clasico rivals, but their biggest strength remains an impressive record against those so-called smaller sides. It is fair to say Atletico did not have such an easy fixture list this term, having faced Sevilla and Real Sociedad away, but the team impressed to win both matches, while easing off to home triumphs over Rayo Vallecano and Almeria. Having also recorded a 3-1 victory over star-studded Zenit side at the start of their Champions League campaign, it is perfectly clear that los Colchoners have already hit the ground running. With Real Valladolid and Osasuna next before they face bitter rivals Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, Atletico will want to keep their 100% record in the league as long as possible, and no doubt they are hot favourites to see off Pucela at their Jose Zorrilla.

Forward Adrian Lopez has picked up an injury in midweek, but that is unlikely to be a problem now that key attacker Diego Costa returns from European suspension.

Verdict

Despite only facing sides that are expected to finish in mid table at best, Valladolid could only pick up four points, which is enough to suggest they will have all sorts of problems against in-form Atletico. Los Colchoneros are playing their best football of the season and they can be trusted to continue the rich vein of form at Jose Zorrilla.

Top pick: Away win   1.73 (8/11) @ Coral

Alternative pick 1: Atletico to score two or more   1.80 (4/5) @ William Hill

Alternative pick 2: Over 2.5 goals   2.00 (1/1) @ bet365

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