Following a recent blip a few weeks ago, Atletico Madrid appears to be very much back on track and will be looking for another three points when Villarreal heads to the Spanish capital on Sunday afternoon. Atletico is seven points off Barcelona at the top and two points ahead of city rival Real in third – three points is an imperative this weekend to make sure they hang on to their spot in the table.
- Atletico Madrid has scored in its last 12 home games in La Liga.
- Villarreal has not won any of its last eight league matches on the road.
- Atletico has won eight, and Villarreal 10, of the last 25 meetings between these two teams.
Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal Game Center
Atletico to build on momentum
After two losses in a row, Atletico has won its last two encounters across all competitions, including a hugely impressive 2-0 win over Italian champion Juventus in the UEFA Champions League. That triumph should have given the squad a huge confidence boost as they look to try to catch Barcelona before time runs out.
Villarreal, in stark contrast, is struggling at the wrong end of the table. The Yellow Submarine have not won any of their last eight league encounters away from home and that statistic looks unlikely to change at the home of one of the most consistent teams in the entire division.
It is therefore of little surprise to see that it is Atletico that comes into this match as the red-hot favorite to take all three points. You can back the home side to win at just -188, while Villarreal is out at +550 to do the same. A draw is priced in the middle at +280.
Atletico to record comfortable win
While Villarreal put in a fine display to beat Sevilla 3-0 last time out, they are unlikely to pull it off away from home against a stronger side in the form of Atletico – this should be a comfortable victory for the home side. It is of course difficult to predict the exact scoreline of any football match, but a 2-0 win for Atletico is priced at +550 and may well be worth backing when you take into account their consistent home form so far this season.
Such a result would then also allow you to back UNDER 2.5 goals in the game, which is priced low at just -138, as well as a “No” to both teams scoring, which is at even shorter odds of -150. Therefore, in an attempt to boost any potential winnings from this match, you may wish to consider combo betting, which allows you to select multiple outcomes at higher odds.
For example, a combo bet of an Atletico win, coupled with a “no” to both teams scoring, is at the higher price of +130, while a home victory and UNDER 2.5 goals in the game is higher still at +225. UNDER 2.5 goals and a “no” to both teams scoring comes in at +105.
Atletico likely to dominate contest
This is a match that Atletico Madrid should be dominating from first whistle to last. Given their excellent defensive record over the course of the season, we are expecting them to win this match to nil (without Villarreal scoring a goal), an outcome you can back at +130.
The home side comes in at just -300 to win either half, but the odds are longer on them to score in both halves (+175) and even longer at +333 to actually go out and win both halves. Given their difficulties in front of goal this term, that is by no means a given, however.
When it comes to goalscorers, Antoine Griezmann will once again be their main hope of breaking the deadlock. The World Cup Sportsbook is at just -110 to score at any time, and +275 to net either the first or the last goal of the game. New signing Alvaro Morata has yet to open his account for Atletico and comes in at +175 to get up and running this weekend.
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