Villarreal vs Atletico as a duel of opposites
Monday evening’s game in Spain’s La Liga is an important match for both teams with a view to their European ambitions next season. Atletico Madrid are desperate to return to the Champions League, but are currently fifth in the table and under pressure. FC Villarreal are fighting their way up from mediocrity thanks to a strong run and have certainly not given up hope of playing in Europe next year. Three points would of course also help enormously in this endeavor
Before the international break, the form of both teams was completely different, for some the break came at the wrong time, for others just at the right time. This is another reason why you can find exciting odds for Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid, as there is no real favorite and it is rather an exciting duel at eye level – outcome uncertain
How will both teams come out of the international break? Can Atletico, who have been flagging before, press the reset button a little, can Villarreal maintain their impressive form? In this Villarreal v Atletico Madrid preview, we take a look at the recent form of both clubs and which tips are recommended for this game, including betting odds, predictions and team checks for both clubs.
Villarreal – Statistics & current form
Villarreal FC will certainly not have been happy about the international break, as it came at an inopportune time for coach Marcelino’s side. Villarreal’s form has been truly impressive. Villarreal FC have not lost in nine league games and have recently won four games in a row.
And these were not against weak relegation candidates. Villarreal recently won at Real Sociedad (3:1) and Real Betis (3:2) – impressive away victories that were exclamation marks. The Valencian derby against Valencia FC was also a success (1-0) – three wins against three teams ahead of Villarreal in the table. Thanks to this series, the Yellow Submarine is on the rise, climbing to 9th place – the first time this season that Marcelino’s eleven have finished in the top 10.
Wins against the competition: FC Villarreal on the rise in La Liga
Villarreal can gradually start dreaming of Europe again, 7th place could once again entitle them to participate in the Conference League, depending on how the Copa del Rey final ends. That position is only four points away. It is a little further to sixth place, which Real Sociedad hold, and Villarreal would have to make up eight points to do so. However, given Villarreal’s recent form, this is not out of the question.
A home win against Atletico on Monday would therefore fit into this series of triumphs against rivals ahead of Villarreal in the table. If you bet on a home win for Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid, you will also be rewarded with very interesting odds of over 3.00 – very interesting value, not only because Villarreal have been so strong recently, but also because Atletico did not make a good impression several times before the international break.
Predicted Villarreal line-up:
Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form
The break certainly came at the right time for Atletico Madrid. Even though the Rojiblancos progressed in the Champions League against Inter Milan after a penalty shoot-out and celebrated a sense of achievement, this game could not hide the fact that Atletico have not really got back on track for many weeks.
Coach Diego Simeone’s side have only won three of their last ten competitive matches, with a whopping six defeats. All without scoring a goal of their own, by the way!
Weak performances and defeats en masse: Atletico Madrid slip to 5th place
Immediately before their CL win against Inter, they suffered an embarrassing 2-0 defeat at relegation candidates Cadiz. And in the 3-0 home defeat against FC Barcelona three days after the Inter triumph, there was once again no sign of Atletico Madrid, who were biting, venomous and, above all, strong at home. The Rojiblancos have been repeatedly lacking in many areas recently, and the team looked tired and listless. Especially away from home. Atletico have failed to win their last six away games in all competitions, losing five times.
Was this also the case in Villarreal? The international break could be the pressure on the reset button that the team obviously urgently needs to reach the Champions League in the final sprint. Because that is precisely what is in danger, with Atletico currently only in fifth place. Simeone’s team must show a different face at Villarreal, who have been so strong and brimming with confidence recently, otherwise they could face another defeat.
Those who believe in an improved Atletico and thus a victory for the Rojiblancos will find odds of 2.25 for Villarreal v Atletico Madrid. However, the victory tip for the visitors is fraught with risk in view of the recent results and performances, especially away from home.
Predicted line-up of Atletico Madrid:
Villarreal – Atletico Madrid head-to-head comparison / H2H result
Regardless of the current form of both teams, a look at the direct comparison shows that this pairing is regularly close. Five of the last ten duels have ended in draws.
Villarreal have won just one of their last ten matches and have failed to win their last five home games against Atletico.
The overall balance is also almost completely even: there have been 45 encounters so far, Villarreal have won 16 games, 14 have ended in draws and Atletico have won 15.
Villarreal – Atletico Madrid betting tip
Making a prediction for Villarreal vs. Atletico Madrid in the three-way is not easy – not only because of the completely even overall balance and the many draws recently. Atletico’s form – especially away from home – has often been very weak, and they have also lost points and suffered defeats against relegation candidates. At the same time, Villarreal’s recent run has been very strong, with four wins in a row, so we wouldn’t be surprised if Atletico lost another point
At the same time, the international break could mean a break with regard to both series of the two clubs – it is not uncommon for dynamics to change after the national team break.
For this reason, we prefer to bet on X2 and BTS for Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid. That both teams will score is very likely for us, an end to the two series could occur due to a perhaps narrow Atleti victory, but could also continue. It is conceivable that Atletico will once again fail to win away from home and Villarreal will remain unbeaten for the tenth time. After all, both are familiar with draws in direct duels. We therefore consider the double chance to be the safest option in a duel of opposites that is difficult to predict
