La Liga preview and odds: Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal

Published on: 21/02/2016

La Liga preview and odds: Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal

February 21, 2016 19:30pm - Vicente Calderon

La Liga

Two of La Liga`s top four teams will go head-to-head on Sunday night as second-ranked Atletico Madrid welcome fourth-ranked Villarreal to the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico nine points adrift

With Barcelona having already beaten Las Palmas, Atletico Madrid will go into this game nine points adrift of the league leaders. Anything other than a win against Villarreal could end the title ambitions of the team from Madrid.

Diego Simeone`s men come into this game on the back of a narrow 1-0 win away to fellow Madrileños Getafe. Prior to that, they enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 win at home over Basque minnows Eibar.

Villarreal unbeaten in 11

Villarreal have not lost a game in La Liga since November - a run that stretches back 11 games. As a result of their good form, they have maintained their place in the top four and now have an eight-point lead over fifth-ranked Sevilla (subject to their Sunday afternoon result).

Despite their good run, the Yellow Submarine are still five points behind Real Madrid in third place. In their last game, they edged to a 1-0 win at home to Malaga. Away from home, they are unbeaten in four, having drawn the last two (Athletic Club and Espnayol) following back-to-back wins at Deportivo La Coruna and Real Sociedad.

Team news

The home side will be without the suspended Gimenez and the injured quartet of Partey, Tiago, Carrasco and Fernandez.

Meanwhile, Marcelino will have to cope without Bailly, Samu and Dos Santos.

Recent form (League)

Atletico Madrid: LLLWL

Villarreal: WLLDD

Betting odds and tips

This should be a tight game between two of the leagues top four teams. Six of the Atletico`s last nine home games have finished with Under 2.5 Goal, while six of Villarreal`s last nine away games have produced the same result.

You can back Under 2.5 Goals at 8/13 with BetVictor.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 21/02/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (21/02/2016 12:51:33) but are subject to change.