Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Will there be a cup hangover at the Metropolitano" Atlético de Madrid are hoping to extend its home unbeaten streak to 27 games on Sunday night, when surprise European contenders Valencia visit the Spanish capital.
Atlético Madrid (13-2-5, 41 points) are hoping to build off the momentum of Thursday?s Copa del Rey quarterfinal win by winning for the third time in four league games. However, Valencia (9-5-7, 32 points) have already beaten Atlético once this season ? snapping an eight-year, 17-game winless run against Los Colchoneros ? and will be confident of securing back-to-back wins over Diego Simeone?s men for the first time since El Cholo became Atleti?s head coach. Valencia?s second-year coach Rúben Baraja ? a former Atlético midfielder ? has Los Che four points off sixth place. ?I love how Valencia play,? Simeone told reporters on Saturday. ?They have young players following a very clear idea from their coach. Their 4-4-2 works very well, they know how to make it very flexible, very functional. It?s not a coincidence that they?re having the season they?re having.?
Sunday will be the first opportunity for Simeone to deploy new midfield signing Arthur Vermeeren, who joined Atlético on Friday in an ?18 million transfer from Royal Antwerp. Simeone made it clear that he approves of Vermeeren?s addition, explaining to the media that the 18-year-old can play anywhere across his three...