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Kick-off: Sunday, 21 February @19:30 GMT
Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderon (Madrid)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to head record
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid 1-0 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid 0-1 (2014/2015 La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal 0-1 (2014/2015 La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal 1-0 (2013/2014 La Liga)
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid 1-1 (2013/2014 La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal prediction
Atletico Madrid will be looking to keep their title hopes alive with a win over Villarreal at their Estadio Vicente Calderon on Sunday evening. The Yellows did remarkably well to beat Napoli in Thursday’s Europa League game, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against los Rojiblancos.
Back on course
Following a 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the La Liga derby, Atletico Madrid recorded a 3-1 win over Eibar in their last home fixture. As expected, los Rojiblancos outplayed Getafe in the local derby at the weekend, with Fernando Torres scoring the winner for Diego Simeone’s troops. Atletico Madrid stayed in the race for the domestic trophy, but they are seven points behind league leaders Barca ahead of Matchday 25. Los Rojiblancos face a must-win situation in Sunday’s clash against Villarreal, but seeing that the capital club will take on PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, I would not be surprised if Diego Simeone decides to rest some of his first-team regulars against Villarreal. Anyhow, Antoine Griezmann should continue to lead the attack for los Rojiblancos and he is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders.
Tiago Mendes, Augusto Fernandez and Thomas Partey remain on the sidelines, but coach Diego Simeone has no other selection worries ahead of the visit of Villarreal. Fernando Torres should keep his place in the starting XI.
Yellow Submarine impressive at the back
Thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Malaga Villarreal moved one step closer to booking their place in the Champions League. The Yellow Submarine managed to keep yet another consecutive clean sheet and, no doubt, the visitors will rely on their rock-solid defence in Sunday’s match against Atletico Madrid. Marcelino’s men head into the match following a 1-0 win over Napoli in the Europa League and, taking everything into account, the visitors are brimming with confidence ahead of the trip to Madrid. Nonetheless, Villarreal are not regarded as good travelers and it has to be noted that they are on a three-match winless run on the road in all competitions. Roberto Soldado scored the winner for the Yellow Submarine against Napoli and the experienced forward is likely to keep his place in the starting line-up, alongside Cedric Bakambu, who returns to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in the 1-0 victory over Malaga.
Davide Bonera returns from suspension, whilst Jonathas Dos Santos suffered an injury against Napoli and he could miss the trip to Madrid. Attacker Adrian Lopez has yet to recover from his long-term injury.
Quick Facts
- Atletico Madrid suffered their last defeat at home on 12 September
- Los Rojiblancos are after their seventh clean sheet in front of home fans
- Diego Simeone’s men scored only one goal in previous three meetings with Villarreal
- Villarreal managed to keep a clean sheet in previous four games in all competitions
- Under 2.5 goals were scored in last six meetings between the two teams
Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal betting tip
Villarreal recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the reverse fixture and seeing that both teams have been impressive at the back in the 2015/2016 La Liga campaign, there is every chance we will see a low-scoring match in the Spanish capital. Both teams are likely to adopt a cautious approach in Sunday’s La Liga clash and, taking everything into account, under 2.5 goals bet should be considered. In their last meeting at “Calderon” Villarreal recorded a 1-0 win over Altetico Madrid.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals
Odds: 1.55 (6/11) @BetVictor
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