Two historic clubs battling for very different objectives

Valencia CF will host Atlético de Madrid in Matchday 25, a clash between two of the most historic LALIGA EA SPORTS clubs of all time. Their duel is scheduled to take place at Mestalla on Saturday, when both teams will look to get back to winning ways after they each played out 1-1 draws last weekend. 

Both these clubs are fighting for very different objectives, however. Atlético de Madrid are in the title race, but last weekend they saw academy graduate Pablo Barrios get sent off seven minutes into their home match against RC Celta. The visitors grabbed the lead from the spot through captain Iago Aspas in the 68th minute, before Alexander Sørloth came off the bench to net a late equaliser that allowed the hosts to at least rescue an important point.

As for Los Che, Carlos Corberán’s side are looking to escape the relegation zone. They’re inching closer to safety, but remain in the bottom three after a 1-1 draw in the Valencian Community Derby last matchday. In that game against Villarreal CF, they conceded just after the half-hour mark to Pape Gueye. Yet, winter signing Umar Sadiq scored his first league goal for Valencia CF late on, allowing the visitors to clinch a 1-1 draw on the road.

A battle of two historic clubs

Valencia CF and Atlético de Madrid are now set to lock horns in one of the most historic and successful LALIGA EA SPORTS matchups. In fact, the two clubs combine for 17 league titles (six and 11, respectively) and 18 Copa del Rey trophies (eight and 10). 

The two sides have faced off 169 times in the Spanish top flight, with Atlético de Madrid recording 66 wins and Los Che coming out victorious 58 times. Historically, Valencia CF have been dominant at home with 41 wins and 20 draws in 84 matches against Los Rojiblancos.

Curiously, Valencia CF have celebrated just one home win over Atleti since 2014, yet that 3-0 triumph came last season, with Hugo Duro netting a brace and Javi Guerra scoring one of his own on Matchday 5 of the 2023/24 campaign. Before that game, Atleti had remained unbeaten in eight games at Mestalla, recording four wins and four draws. In fact, Los Rojiblancos have suffered just one defeat in 20 league games (13 wins, six draws and one loss) against their upcoming rivals.

Competing for different objectives

Despite recording two straight 1-1 draws in their last two LALIGA EA SPORTS games, Atlético de Madrid remain strong in an exciting three-way title race featuring cross-city rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Diego Simeone’s side have registered just one defeat in their last 23 games across all competitions, although they’ve won just one of their last five league duels (one win, three draws and one loss). 

Their last LALIGA EA SPORTS victory away from home dates back on December 21st, when they celebrated a 2-1 comeback triumph at FC Barcelona courtesy of a Sørloth clincher deep into stoppage time.

Meanwhile, a poor start to the season saw Valencia CF drop to the relegation zone after recording just two wins in their first 17 league games. Enter Corberán, who succeeded club legend Rubén Baraja in the dugout and who has managed to turn the tide in 2025.

Under Corberán, Valencia CF have managed five wins in nine games across all competitions, including three crucial victories in their last five league games. This has allowed Los Che to climb up the table, but they’re still 18th and the relegation battle is far from over. Each and every point could be valuable down the stretch in their bid to secure safety, while the same is true for Atlético de Madrid as they look to win a 12th LALIGA EA SPORTS championship.