Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano Predictions

• Atletico Madrid have won nine of their last 12 home league games
• Rayo Vallecano have lost three of their last four away trips – all to the other top-four clubs
• Atletico Madrid have kept only two clean sheets in their last six La Liga home games

Simeone’s side should make amends for limp display

Atletico Madrid’s competitive instincts and the standards set by Diego Simeone should mean they bounce back from Saturday’s dismal defeat to La Palmas with a victory over Rayo Vallecano at the Metropolitano on Thursday.

It was not just the 1-0 result in Gran Canaria that was disappointimng from an Atleti side who are capable of far better but the nature in which their hold on a point was thrown away. Simeone’s side won fewer duels than their relegation-threatened rivals and lost possession of the ball 17 more times than Diego Martínez’s men.

It looked like the home side just wanted it more than Atleti, who remain in third and now look completely out of the title race at a 10-point deficit to leaders Barcelona. The Argentinean coach will demand a reaction in front of the home fans on Thursday.

Vallecano can score at the Metropolitano

Rayo Vallecano make the short hop to the Metropolitano on the back of a 1-1 home draw against Valencia. A three-game winless run has done their hopes of bringing European football to Vallecas no good, but they remain only two points off eighth place and a spot in next saeson’s Europa Conference League.

It has been a tough slate of away fixtures for Inigo Perez’s side, who lost 1-0 to Barca, 2-1 to Real Madrid and 3-1 to Athletic Club either side of a 2-0 win at Alaves. The results suggest they are just not quite good enough to avoid defeat away to the top clubs, but definitely capable of getting a goal.

Back Atleti to pick up all three points in this clash with both teams on the scoresheet. Simeone’s side have the best clean sheet ratio in La Liga and can boast a league-best eight in their 16 home games, but only two of those have come in their last six at the Metropolitano.