Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal Predictions

• Atletico Madrid are still searching for a first win of the season
• Villarreal are unbeaten in nine games, winning eight times in that run
• The Yellow Submarine have won four of their last six away games, taking three points from trips to Barcelona and Real Betis in that sequence

Villarreal vying to add to ailing Atleti’s misery

Barcelona and Real Madrid are likely to be embroiled in a tight title race for the majority of the season, but that may not even be the most exciting battle in La Liga this term, with Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal sure to give Atletico Madrid a run for their money to finish third.

Two of those top-three hopefuls will face off in the capital on Saturday when Atleti host Villarreal and there is a big price available for the Yellow Submarine’s excellent start to the season to continue in Madrid.

A 94th-minute Borja Iglesias strike cost Marcelino’s men all three points at Celta Vigo last time but they comfortably beat Real Oviedo 2-0 and routed Girona 5-0 in their first two games.

New signings Tajon Buchanan and Alberto Moleiro have ensured Villarreal are not missing Atletico new boy Alex Baena too much and they look set to get one over their former player on Saturday.

Yellow Submarine unlikely to be sunk in Madrid

Atletico’s woeful start to the season began with a 2-1 defeat at Espanyol and continued with draws against relegation candidates Elche and Alaves, suggesting an odds-on price for victory this weekend should be readily swerved.

Diego Simeone’s side have struggled to get going and the international break is unlikely to have helped at all given most of their key men were away with their national sides.

Stick with the form guide and back Villarreal, who may very well pip Atleti to third, too. Although it could pay to keep the draw on side given both meetings last term finished level.