Atletico Madrid – Villarreal
Our Atletico Madrid – Villarreal betting tip is: Atlético to win – 1.67 odds
- Atletico have only lost one of their last 17 matches in all competitions.
- Villarreal have only won one of their last five away games.
- Atlético have won two of their last three meetings.
A thrilling encounter is in store on Saturday afternoon in the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, when second-placed Atletico Madrid host fifth-placed Villarreal. Diego Simeone’s team have recently underlined their good form with a dramatic 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen and are just two points behind leaders Real Madrid. Interestingly, the Colchoneros have won four of their last five league games.
Villarreal are riding high after an impressive 4-0 thrashing of Mallorca on Monday – all the goals coming in just seven first-half minutes. Under new coach Marcelino, the ‘Yellow Submarine’ has shown significant improvement, even if the six-point gap between them and fourth-placed Athletic Club is still considerable. It will be interesting to see whether they can continue to demonstrate their offensive prowess against the traditionally strong defense of the Madrilenians.
Atletico Madrid – Villarreal Infos
- Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid
- Date and time: 25/01/2025, 4:15 pm
- Competition: La Liga
- TV broadcast: DAZN
Atletico Madrid form & record check
Atletico Madrid are in impressive form at the moment and are just two points behind league leaders Real Madrid. Diego Simeone’s team have won four of their last five competitive games, including a dramatic 2-1 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen, in which Julian Alvarez scored the winner in the 90th minute.
Their defensive stability is particularly striking, with three of their last five games keeping a clean sheet. Only the surprising 1-0 defeat to Leganes last weekend spoiled the picture. Interestingly, the team has been very disciplined, especially in the first half – in 80% of their last games, fewer than 1.5 goals were scored before half-time.
Back to their old strength
You might think that the Colchoneros have found their typical strength again: compact defense coupled with effective transition play. With a five-point lead over Barcelona, Atletico has established a comfortable cushion in the battle for the Champions League places. However, it remains to be seen how the team copes with the rotation between domestic and international competitions.
Atletico Madrid facts & analysis
- League position: 2nd
- Last 5 matches: 4 wins, 1 loss
- Won 2-1 against Leverkusen in the CL on Tuesday
Atletico Madrid are expected to field a 5-4-1 formation against Villarreal. Simeone is sticking with a tried and tested lineup that features Oblak in goal, a strong back four and a creative midfield pair.
The expected lineup reflects the tactical versatility that the coach expects from his players.
Villarreal Form & Record Check
Villarreal are currently showing remarkable fluctuation in form, which is reflected in their current 5th place in the table with 33 points. The recent 4-0 win against Mallorca was a real statement – the phase between the 20th and 28th minute, in which the team around coach Marcelino scored four goals, was particularly impressive. Costa, Baena, Parejo and Pino impressively demonstrated the team’s offensive potential.
Interestingly, a closer look at the last few games reveals a clear pattern: in 80% of the games, more than 1.5 goals were scored, while the team scored and conceded at the same rate. However, the defeat at Real Sociedad (0-1) and the draw against Rayo Vallecano (1-1) also revealed the team’s ongoing consistency issues.
Not yet at Champions League level
It is fair to wonder whether the current six-point gap to the last Champions League place could be even greater if Villarreal do not stabilize their performances. The explosive offensive play is there, but the defense often still seems vulnerable – a fact that could become a problem especially against the top teams in the league. It will also be interesting to see how the transfer rumors surrounding Alex Baena, who is being courted by Bayern Munich, affect the team.
Villarreal facts & analysis
- Table position: 5th place
- Balance last 5 games: Two wins, one draw, two defeats
- Last played 1:1 against Rayo Vallecano
Based on the available data and recent matches, it is expected that Marcelino’s team will once again line up in a 4-4-2 system. Players like Gerard Moreno and Barry have shown impressive chemistry in attack, which is reflected in their effectiveness. The midfield, orchestrated by Parejo, shows stability and creativity. The back four, with Foyth, has impressed with disciplined play, giving the team security.
Atletico Madrid – Villarreal head to head & stats
