Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal predictions and match preview for Saturday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for the head-to-head, team news, betting tips and predicted lineups as two of the division’s stronger teams meet.
- DATE: Saturday 3rd October 2020
- KICK-OFF: 16:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Wanda Metropolitano
- COMPETITION: LaLiga Santander
Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal Preview
Two of Spain’s European participants clash at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday with Atletico Madrid entertaining Villarreal. Diego Simeone’s side come into this game following a frustrating midweek trip to Huesca and will be determined to get back to winning ways against a team that has caused them problems in recent years.
All appeared to be right with Atleti’s world when they hammered Granada 6-1 on the opening weekend. Joao Felix put in his best display in an Atleti shirt and Luis Suarez enjoyed a stunning debut, scoring twice and assisting another as he came off the bench.
However with the duo starting alongside each other at Huesca in midweek, things didn’t quite click into place and the newly promoted side held Atleti to a 0-0 draw. Given a failure to convert one point into three on the road has been a significant issue for Simeone’s men in the past few seasons, it was a concerning result.
As for Villarreal, it has been a mixed week. They were very poor at Camp Nou last weekend, surrendering all too easily against Barcelona in a 4-0 defeat. However they responded well with Gerard Moreno and Paco Alcacer scoring all the goals in a 3-1 home victory over Alaves. That pairing should be one of the most deadly in LaLiga this term and they ought to keep the Atleti defence busy here if the Yellow Submarine can manage to get a foothold in the game and create opportunities for their forward players.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 2 Atletico Wins, 1 Villarreal Win, 3 Draws.
- Atleti have won their 2 previous home games against Villarreal at the Wanda Metropolitano including a 3-1 success last season.
- However those are their only wins in their last 10 games against Villarreal overall.
- 4 of the last 10 meetings have been drawn with Villarreal winning 4.
Team News
Jose Gimenez is the only major doubt for Atleti following his positive COVID-19 test. Felix and Suarez should continue up top.
Francis Coquelin is out with a hamstring injury for the visitors. Full-backs Pervis Estupiñán and Ruben Pena are also injury concerns but the former should be fit.
Predicted Atletico Madrid Starting Lineup:
Oblak – Lodi, Felipe, Savic, Trippier – Saul, Thomas, Koke, Correa – Suarez, Felix (4-4-2)
Predicted Villarreal Starting Lineup:
Asenjo – Estupinan, Torres, Albiol, Gaspar – Gomez, Parejo, Iborra, Chukwueze – Alcacer, Gerard (4-4-2)
Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal Predictions
Score Prediction: Atleti 2-1 Villarreal
Villarreal look capable of getting on the scoresheet here but they clearly aren’t quite the finished package under Unai Emery yet. The manner in which they collapsed at Camp Nou only last weekend is a worry heading into another trip to face ‘big 3’ opposition and Atleti ought to have the edge over 90 minutes.
LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)
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Read all our Segunda Division match previews & predictions here
