Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Predictions

Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid predictions as La Liga’s long opening weekend wraps up. Villarreal host Atletico Madrid at Estadio de la Ceramica on Monday evening in an intriguing La Liga opener for the new campaign. Read on for our free preview, predictions and betting tips.

La Liga | Aug 19, 2024 at 8.30pm UK at Estadio de la Ceramica

Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Predictions

Will Atletico Madrid’s New Signings Shine in Their La Liga Opener Against Villarreal?

• Atletico Madrid won both their La Liga matches against Villarreal last season.
• Villarreal have lost six of their last seven home games against teams that finished in the top seven.
• Alexander Sorloth scored 26 goals for Villarreal last season before joining Atletico Madrid.

Best Bet

The Estadio de la Ceramica is set to witness an enticing clash on Monday night as Villarreal host Atletico Madrid in the opening round of the 2024/25 La Liga season. Both teams will be eager to start their campaigns on a high, with Villarreal aiming to bounce back from a disappointing eighth-place finish last term, while Atletico Madrid are keen to assert themselves as title contenders this time around. The stage is set for an intense battle between two clubs with much to prove.

Backing Atletico Madrid to win this encounter appears to be the most sensible bet. Atletico’s impressive pre-season form and their strong record against Villarreal make them favourites for this match. Last season, Atletico finished fourth in La Liga, securing their spot in the Champions League, while Villarreal ended in eighth, missing out on European football. The difference in quality between the two sides was evident last season, and it seems likely to carry over into this new campaign.

Atletico Madrid have bolstered their squad with significant signings over the summer, including Julian Alvarez and Robin Le Normand, who are expected to make an immediate impact. These additions, coupled with the return of Alexander Sorloth, who scored 26 goals for Villarreal last season, make Atletico’s attacking line-up particularly formidable. Sorloth’s knowledge of Villarreal’s defensive weaknesses could be crucial in this match, as he will be keen to make a statement against his former club.

Moreover, Atletico’s pre-season performances suggest that they are in excellent shape heading into this fixture. They secured victories in all four of their friendlies, including a 2-0 win over Juventus, demonstrating their readiness to compete at the highest level. This strong form, combined with their tactical discipline under Diego Simeone, makes Atletico well-positioned to take all three points in this opening match.

Villarreal, on the other hand, have had a less than ideal pre-season, suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Brighton in their final friendly. Additionally, the departure of key players like Filip Jorgensen and Sorloth has weakened their squad, and with several first-team players unavailable due to injury, they may struggle to contain Atletico’s attacking threats. Although Villarreal have made some notable signings, including Ayoze Perez, they may need time to gel, and this match could come too soon for them to pose a serious challenge to Atletico.

Given Atletico’s superior squad depth, strong pre-season form, and psychological advantage from their recent head-to-head record, they are expected to come out on top in this encounter.

Additional Prediction

Another prediction worth considering is Alexander Sorloth to find the back of the net at any point during the match. Having been Villarreal’s top scorer last season, Sorloth knows the weaknesses in their defence intimately. Now playing for Atletico, he will be eager to show his former club what they are missing.

Sorloth’s goal-scoring prowess was evident last season, where he netted 26 times across all competitions, including 23 in La Liga. His physical presence and ability to finish in tight situations make him a constant threat in front of goal. With creative players like Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez likely to provide him with ample service, Sorloth has a strong chance of marking his Atletico debut with a goal.

Considering Villarreal’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially with key defenders like Juan Foyth and Alfonso Pedraza out due to injury, Sorloth is well-positioned to exploit these gaps and get on the scoresheet.

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