Atletico Madrid vs Sporting Gijon Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Atletico Madrid made a slow start to the season with 2 disappointing draws against newly promoted sides but seem to have returned from the international break in much better shape. They were convincing 4-0 winners at Celta Vigo last weekend with Antoine Griezmann bagging a brace as Diego Simeone’s men ran riot in the 2nd Half. They followed that up with a 1-0 win in the Champions League at PSV with Saul the man on the scoresheet and although it hasn’t been a brilliant start for new signing Kevin Gameiro, they are looking much improved and should have too much quality for Sportin Gijon here.

The visitors have made a really good start though. Despite losing a host of key players from last season and not really spending any money, Sporting have taken 7 points from their opening 3 games to the surprise of many. They were 2-1 winners against Athletic Bilbao on the opening day and won by the same margin at home to Leganes last weekend but a trip to the Vicente Calderon is clearly a very different matter.

Atleti have a trip to Camp Nou next week and will want to head into that game with another solid win under their belt. Sporting may currently occupy 3rd place but that is almost unquestionably a false position and it would be a major surprise if they aren’t involved in the relegation scrap again this year, having survived on the final day last term. Diego Simeone’s side struggled in the early weeks with a few players late back from the Euros and struggling for fitness but they’ve looked like their old selves this week.

Defensively they are still extremely strong with just 1 goal conceded in 4 matches so far and it was something of a freak long-range strike. Sporting aren’t the best defensive side so they should be able to force at least a couple of goals here and given that backing Atletico Madrid -1.5 Asian Handicap at 1.725 looks a solid bet.