Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal

Verdict: Under 2,5 goals – yes

Best Odds: 22/25

Bookmaker: 888sport

Atletico Madrid remain undefeated in La Liga after nine matches, and will look to extend that run on Saturday when they host Villarreal at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. El Submarino Amarillo have been on torrid form of late, so this is not going to be an easy game for Los Colchoneros. Kick-off is scheduled at 17:30 BST, and Alberto Undiano Mallenco will be the referee.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid sit in fourth place of LaLiga standings with 19 points, thanks to five wins and four draws. They are one of three Liga teams that remain undefeated – along with FC Barcelona and Valencia – and will look to maintain that conditions this Saturday. But even though the numbers portrait another strong season for Los Colchoneros, the reality is that they are somewhat lucky to be this high on the standings. They have had a few subpar displays of late and have drawn seven of their 13 matches across all competitions. They haven’t scored more than two goals in any of their last 10 matches, and have not broken the one-goal mark in their last six games. Those problems finding the back of the net could eventually hurt them, so they must improve on the attacking end. Fortunately the defence has bailed them out, as Atletico have only allowed five goals in nine league contests thus far.

Team News

Diego Pablo Simeone won’t have a full-strength squad for this game, as he will miss two of his most important midfielders.

Koke and Yannick Carrasco have been ruled out for this game. The Spanish playmaker is dealing with a thigh problem, while the Belgian injury is nursing through a knee injury.

Villarreal

What a difference a new manager makes for a struggling team. Villarreal have seen a remarkable turnaround in their form since the appointment of Javier Calleja Revilla as head coach following the heavy 4-0 loss at Getafe last month. They have won all 3 league games since that defeat, and now find themselves 6th in the table. The team is apparently clicking in all cylinders at the moment, but winning against Atletico Madrid it is not going to be easy at all. Los Colchoneros have only one defeat across all competitions in the current term, and as stated above, they are one of the three undefeated teams in the competitions. So Villarreal must maintain their positive form if they want to get something out of Spain’s capitol city. Players such as Cedric Bakambu and Manu Trigueros will be key for El Submarino Amarillo, while their defence – the same one that has conceded just two goals in their last three Liga matches – will need to be at their best.

Team News

Calleja Revilla won’t have Bruno (leg) and Ruben Semedo (illness) available for this game.

As if that wasn’t enough, Andres Fernandez is doubtful due to a knee problem. The goalkeeper has been out of action the last two months.

Key Factors to Consider

• Villarreal are riding a three-game winning streak in LaLiga.
• Atletico Madrid have drawn four of their nine Liga matches thus far.
• Only 1 of the last 9 meetings between these sides has actually seen over 2.5 goals, but only 2 of the 30 La Liga meetings between them have ended 0-0.
• Villarreal are undefeated in their last three match away against Atletico, winning two and drawing one.
• Only 3 of Atleti’s league games this season have seen over 2.5 goals. None has come at their new Wanda Metropolitano home.

Conclusion

Atletico Madrid have not been able to score as regularly as they would like. So far they are yet to crack the three-goal barrier playing at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Given Villarreal’s form of late, that trend will likely continue. So it’s quite possible we will see under 2,5 goals in this one.

Verdict: Under 2,5 goals – yes

Best Odds: 22/25

Bookmaker: 888sport