Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Preview
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid will take place in La Liga at El Madrigal Stadium on April 1 in a clash between the ninth-placed team and the fifth-placed team.
The hosts will enter this game on the back of a solid run of form across competitions. They have lost just one of their last 11 matches, winning six and drawing four of the remaining games. They have been in great scoring form in their last six, netting 15 times and conceding nine in the process. Having finished fifth last season with 64 points, they are nearly 30 points worse off this time with 38 points from 29 games. Having defeated Valencia 1-0 in their last game, they were looking for another win.
The visitors, on the other hand, will enter this game on the back of a mixed run of form. They have lost three and won two of their last five games, losing ground on the league standings, but qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In this span, Atleti have conceded an uncharacteristic 10 goals and scored just four as they will look to regroup. They fell to a hapless 3-0 defeat at home against Barcelona in their last outing and will look to avoid a repeat.
With that said, let’s take a look at the team news coming out from both camps.
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Team News
Villarreal
Manager Marcelino will have a considerably large injury list to deal with heading into the last leg of the league season. Long-term absentees Yeremy Pino (ACL), Denis Suarez (tendon) and Ramon Terrats (meniscus) will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future with no return dates revealed. Other players on the list are veteran Raul Albiol, Juan Foyth and Alfonso Pedraza.
Meanwhile, Alberto Moreno has served his suspension for a double-booking red card in the last game and will now be available for selection.
Atletico Madrid
Manager Diego Simeone too will have a fair amount of injuries to tackle ahead of his team’s next game. Long-term absentees Thomas Lemar (Achilles), and Marcos Paulo (ACL) have missed over 30 games and are unlikely to return before the end of the season.
Jose Maria Gimenez (muscle) and Mario Hermoso (muscle) have been out for a few weeks and could return by mid-April if things go well. Meanwhile, Koke, Gabriel Paulista, Gimenez, Marcos Llorente, and Pablo Barrios are all at the risk of being suspended having already picked up four yellows this season. Nahuel Molina will remain ineligible after his straight red against Barca.
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineups
Villarreal
The Yellow Submarine played well in their last game to secure a win and will maintain the same combination of players.
Predicted XI: Filip Jorgensen (GK); Kiko Femenia, Yerson Mosquera, Aissa Mandi, Jorge Cuenca; Bertrand Traore, Santi Comesana; Francis Coquelin (C), Alejandro Baena; Goncalo Guedes, Alexander Sorloth.
ALSO READ: Barcelona vs Las Palmas Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips
Atletico Madrid
Atleti will be forced into replacing the suspended Molina, which could also see Griezmann return to the starting lineup.
Predicted XI: Jan Oblak (C) (GK); Stefan Savic, Axel Witsel, Reinildo Mandava; Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo de Paul, Pablo Barrios, Samuel Lino; Antoine Griezmann, Alvaro Morata, Rodrigo Riquelme.
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Head-to-Head Record
These two teams have met very frequently and consistently over the last couple of decades. However, the last few games between these two sides have been very entertaining, with little to separate the two teams.
Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have both won one game apiece and have shared three draws, all ending with 2-2 scorelines.
Last 5 Games
- Atleti 3-1 Villarreal (11/23)
- Villarreal 2-2 Atleti (06/23)
- Atleti 0-2 Villarreal (08/22)
- Villarreal 2-2 Atleti (01/22)
- Atleti 2-2 Villarreal (08/21)
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Prediction
Seeing the high-scoring nature of past meetings between the two sides, it is safe to say the next one has a high chances of going down the same road. Villarreal have been scoring freely in recent weeks, while Atleti have the firepower to defeat any team on their day. This could be another high-scoring draw between the two sides.
Prediction: Villarreal 2-2 Atletico Madrid.
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips & Odds
Villarreal and Atletico Madrid have scored several goals in the last five meetings, with both teams netting nine goals apiece. Both teams have scored in four of the last five games and that will likely happen once again.
Betting Tips
- Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.56
- Match Total – Over 3.5 Goals: 2.60
- Both Teams to Score in Second Half – Yes: 2.75
Match Odds
- Villarreal Win: 3.00
- Draw: 3.80
- Atletico Madrid Win: 2.26
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Monday, April 1st at 8:00 PM (GMT).
- India: Sports18, JioCinema app & website.
- UK: ITV, Viaplay.
- US: ESPN+.
ALSO READ: Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips | LaLiga