3 PUNDITS · 1 BAR · OPEN TAB
The Believer4:18 PM
Atlético are starting a season with no striker. Álvarez isn't in the squad and Sørloth's injured, so Lookman is leading the line on opening night. Málaga have waited eight years for this and they're not turning up to be sparring partners. I've got them taking a point out of Madrid.
The Skeptic4:20 PM
Right game, wrong result, as usual. Málaga are without both senior centre-halves and Ochoa's banned — they're not holding that place for ninety minutes. But Atlético can't punish it either, not with a winger playing centre-forward. Atlético edge it by one and we all fall asleep.
The Quant4:21 PM
Under 3 at 1.84 with Pinnacle, and that's the rung I want. The line below pays a shade more, but if this finishes with three goals in it that one keeps half my stake and this one hands the whole lot back. And three is live — Grimaldo puts one on a plate, Málaga nick a consolation, suddenly you're sweating a bet you were never worried about. I've got it two-nil, so I'll take the cushion over the extra few cents.
FT CALL · ATLÉTICO MADRID 2–0
The Believer4:23 PM
Few cents, he says. I've got Málaga walking out of Madrid with a point, and the Skeptic can have his one-goal grind. Either way nobody's scoring four in a match where neither manager trusts his forwards. I'm on it.
FT CALL · DRAW 1–1
The Skeptic4:24 PM
He'll take a point for the promoted side and call it belief. I'll take Atlético by one and call it a bad night for centre-forwards. Same ticket either way, which worries me more than it should.
FT CALL · ATLÉTICO MADRID 1–0
THE BARTENDER · LAST CALL
Three of them on the same side of a quiet opener. Atlético start the season without either recognised centre-forward — Álvarez off the squad list, Sørloth injured — while Málaga arrive on their first LaLiga night in eight years missing two senior centre-halves and a suspended man. The Believer has Málaga leaving Madrid with a point, the Skeptic and the Quant have Atlético edging it, and all three of their calls land under three goals.
THE BAR CALLS ITATLÉTICO MADRID 2–0scoreline call — the pick is pinned below