Atletico Madrid gear up to host Villarreal at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on 25 January 2025 at 15:15 in a crucial LaLiga encounter. Currently sitting second in LaLiga with 44 points, Atletico are hot on the heels of leaders Real Madrid. Villarreal, positioned fifth with 33 points, will be keen to narrow the gap and secure a European spot.

Diego Simeone’s squad, although strong defensively as evidenced by conceding just 0.6 goals per game, will miss key players Clement Lenglet and Javi Galán due to suspensions. Villarreal’s recent form has been inconsistent, with only one win in their last five matches.

Referee Jose Sanchez will officiate, adding to the match’s competitive edge. Notably, Atletico Madrid have shown excellent home form, remaining undefeated at their venue. This, combined with their superior league standings and Villarreal’s struggles away from home, suggests a win for Atletico Madrid.

Our recommended bet is for Atletico Madrid to win, with a solid odd of 1.72 highlighting their advantage.

Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tip

We recommend betting on Atletico Madrid to win. Here’s why:
Given their strong home form and solid defensive performance, Atletico Madrid heads into this match in high spirits. With three clean sheets in their last five games and an impressive average of conceding just 0.6 goals per match, they are well-placed to secure another victory.

• Superior home form: Atletico Madrid remains undefeated at their home venue this season.
• Defensive solidity: They’ve managed to keep three clean sheets in their last five matches.
• Villarreal’s travel woes: Villarreal has struggled away from home, particularly against stronger teams.

Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal Odds

When it comes to betting on this exciting matchup, the odds clearly favour Atletico Madrid. However, there are opportunities for bettors looking for various outcomes.

Atletico Madrid’s odds of 1.68 reflect their strong home form and excellent defensive record.
If you’re feeling adventurous, a draw at 4.01 or a Villarreal win at 4.71 could also offer some lucrative returns.
Take into consideration Atletico’s recent performance boost after beating Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League and Villarreal’s struggle with consistency.

Atletico Madrid Team Analysis

Atletico Madrid Recent Performance

Atletico Madrid has had a strong run recently, boasting a record of four wins in their last five matches. This impressive sequence includes a notable 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen and a dominant 4-0 win against Elche.

With an average of 1.60 goals scored per match and three clean sheets in their last five games, their defensive discipline and effective counter-attacking play are evident. Despite the setback against Leganes, the team remains in high spirits, especially after solid performances domestically and in European competitions.

Atletico Madrid Key Players

For Atletico Madrid, several key players are expected to make a significant impact in their clash against Villarreal. Antoine Griezmann stands out not only as a playmaker but also as a consistent goal-scoring threat. Alongside him, Julián Álvarez, who is returning to form, will likely partner upfront, paramount to Atletico’s attacking strategies. Rodrigo De Paul is another crucial figure in the midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively. Defensively, Jan Oblak’s presence between the posts assures a reliable last line of defense, and Nahuel Molina’s versatility will be vital in both defense and attack.

Expected lineup for Atletico Madrid:

• Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
• Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Axel Witsel, Samuel Dias Lino
• Midfielders: Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios, Conor Gallagher
• Attackers: Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez

Atletico Madrid Suspensions & Injuries

Atletico Madrid will be missing key players due to both injuries and suspensions, which could impact their performance against Villarreal. Here are the details:

Suspensions:

Injuries:

The absence of Clement Lenglet and Javi Galán due to suspension means adjustments in the defensive lineup are required. Alexander Sørloth’s potential absence could weaken their attacking options, given his role as the team’s top scorer.

Atletico Madrid Tactics and Formation

Atletico Madrid Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Expected Lineup:
• Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
• Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Axel Witsel, Samuel Dias Lino
• Midfielders: Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios, Conor Gallagher
• Forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Julián Álvarez
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games.
• Key Attacking Players: Griezmann and Álvarez

Atletico Madrid, under Diego Simeone, is well-known for its solid and disciplined defensive setup. With Clément Lenglet suspended, it’s likely that Axel Witsel will slot into central defense. Rodrigo De Paul commands the midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively. Griezmann and Álvarez lead the attack, ensuring offensive flexibility and sharp finishing abilities. The team maintains resilience at the back, conceding just 0.6 goals per game this season, and aims to build pressure through controlled possession and quick counter-attacks.

Villarreal Team Analysis

Villarreal Recent Performance

Recent Form: WLWDL

Villarreal have had a mixed bag of results recently. Notching up two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five matches, their form has been somewhat inconsistent. They averaged 2.20 goals scored and managed only one clean sheet in these fixtures. Their attacking prowess is evident, but defensive lapses, as seen with an average of 1.6 goals conceded per game this season, continue to challenge them.

Villarreal Key Players

Expected lineup for Villarreal:

• Goalkeeper: Luiz Júnior
• Defenders: Kiko Femenia, Juan Foyth, Willy Kambwala, Sergi Cardona
• Midfielders: Santi Comesaña, Pape Gueye, Daniel Parejo, Denis Suarez
• Attackers: Alejandro Baena, Thierno Barry

Villarreal’s key player to watch is Ayoze Perez, who has netted eight goals this season, matching Atletico Madrid’s top scorer, Alexander Sørloth. Perez’s ability to find the back of the net could prove crucial in this fixture.

In midfield, Daniel Parejo will be pivotal, controlling the tempo and distributing the ball against a strong Atletico side.

Defensively, Juan Foyth will need to be at his best to counter the threat posed by Atletico’s Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann. The individual battles in midfield and defense will be instrumental in determining Villarreal’s fortunes in this match.

Villarreal Suspensions & Injuries

Villarreal currently has a few key players sidelined with injuries, which could impact their performance against Atletico Madrid:
Injuries:

These injuries could hinder Villarreal’s depth, especially with Alfonso Pedraza and Ilias Akhomach likely missing for this crucial fixture.
On the bright side, Villarreal has no players suspended for this match, allowing Marcelino to field his optimal lineup. Nevertheless, the absence due to injuries will require strategic changes to maintain competitiveness against a strong Atletico Madrid side.

Villarreal Tactics and Formation

Villarreal’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Alejandro Baena
• Midfield Duo: Pape Gueye, Daniel Parejo
• Defensive Setup: Juan Foyth, Willy Kambwala at center-back
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on wide play and crossing opportunities

Marcelino is likely to stick with a 4-4-2 formation to ensure a balance between attack and defense. They rely on the creativity of Daniel Parejo and the physical presence of Pape Gueye in midfield to control the tempo.

With Denis Suarez and Santi Comesaña providing width, they’ll aim to stretch Atletico Madrid’s defense, while a striking partnership of Thierno Barry and Alejandro Baena seeks to finish off chances. Given their defensive vulnerabilities, reflected in their season average of conceding 1.6 goals per game, a disciplined backline is vital.

Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal Head-to-Head Statistics

It’s important to note that Atletico Madrid is heading into this match with strong home form and a squad brimming with confidence.

On the other hand, Villarreal has shown mixed results in recent games and will need to be at their very best to challenge Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The game promises to be an intense contest between two top-five LaLiga teams.

Odds accurate as of 23 January 2025, 15:16, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.