Atletico Madrid welcome Villarreal to the Metropolitano Stadium for a Spanish La Liga fixture on Saturday. Atleti are still seeking their first win of the season, while the visitors are looking to maintain their unbeaten start.
Atletico Madrid have endured one of their worst starts in La Liga as they are without a win in their opening three matches. They head into Saturday's clash off the back of a 1-1 draw at Alaves last time out in the league.
Manager Diego Simeone will be keen to jumpstart Atletico Madrid’s season and will look to get going at the Metropolitano. They have won five of their last six home matches but were held to a 1-1 draw by Elche last time out in front of their fans.
Villarreal appear to be picking up where they left off last season and are unbeaten in their opening three La Liga matches this term. Following wins over Real Oviedo and Girona, they were held to a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo in their previous fixture.
The result at Celta Vigo also maintains a solid away record for Villarreal, who are unbeaten in five of their last six away matches. There have been four wins for Marcelino’s men on this run, with a 3-2 victory at Barcelona among their results.
How the bookies view it: Atletico Overwhelming favourites
Despite their torrid start to the season, Atletico Madrid are heavily backed by the bookies, with a home win priced at 4/5 by BoyleSports. A victory for Villarreal is valued at 3/1, while a draw is set at odds of 12/5.
Head to head: Atletico with the edge
Atletico Madrid have a 16-13 edge, with 15 draws from 44 previous matches against Villarreal. The two meetings last ended in draws, with the first clash ending 2-2 before a 1-1 scoreline in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Eyes on Alvarez
Alexander Sorloth could be worth keeping an eye on for Atletico Madrid, having already got off the mark this season. The striker scored against Villarreal last season and can carry the attacking threat on Saturday (Alexander Sorloth anytime goalscorer – 21/20 with BoyleSports).
Nicolas Pepe appears to have regained his confidence this season and has found the net in two of the three matches so far. The forward will be the one to watch for Villarreal (Nicolas Pepe anytime goalscorer – offered at 11/4).
Probable line-ups:
Atletico Madrid should still retain the same starting line-up they fielded against Alaves, with Jan Oblak in goal alongside Robin Le Normand and Clement Lenglet in defence. Giuliano Simeone and Tiago Almada are on the flanks, with Alvarez and Sorloth up front.
For Villarreal, Luiz Junior should keep his place between the sticks, with Juan Foyth and Rafa Marin as part of the rearguard. Buchanan and Pape Gueye are expected in midfield, with Pepe and Karl Etta Eyong in attack.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko, Simeone, Cardoso, Barrios, Almada, Alvarez, Sorloth
Villarreal: Luiz Junior, Mourino, Foyth, Marin, Cardona, Buchanan, Comesana, Gueye, Moleiro, Etta Eyong, Pepe
Anything else catch the eye?
Villarreal are unbeaten in four of the last five away matches against Atletico Madrid (Villarreal double chance – set at odds of 10/11 with BoyleSports). There have been goals in each half in four of the last five matches between both teams (Goals in each half – valued at odds of 4/6).
Four of the last five matches between Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have produced over 2.5 goals (Over 2.5 goals – available at 4/6).
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