The 2024 La Liga season kicks off with an exciting matchup as Villarreal hosts Atlético Madrid at Estadio de la Cerámica on August 19th.
Following a season where Atlético Madrid completed a domestic double over Villarreal, the stakes are high as both teams look to make a strong start to their campaigns. With significant changes in their respective squads, fans can anticipate a thrilling encounter.
Match Preview
Atlético Madrid enters the new season with renewed aspirations after finishing fourth in La Liga last year, accumulating 76 points.
Despite finishing 19 points behind champions Real Madrid, Atlético has been proactive in the transfer market, aiming to mount a serious title challenge.
The club has bolstered its defense by signing Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad for €34.5 million, alongside the acquisitions of striker Alexander Sorloth for €32 million and Julian Alvarez for a hefty €75 million.
While Atlético has made notable signings, they have also seen key departures, including Alvaro Morata, Memphis Depay, and Saul.
The potential exit of João Félix adds to the uncertainty surrounding the squad.
Last season, Atlético scored 70 goals but conceded 43, which indicates a shift from their historically robust defense.
Under the guidance of Diego Simeone, they will be looking to tighten up defensively while maintaining their attacking threat.
Villarreal, now managed by Marcelino, finished eighth last season with a record of 14 wins, 11 draws, and 13 losses.
The Yellow Submarine scored 65 goals but also conceded the same number, making them one of the teams with the highest goals conceded in La Liga.
This season, Villarreal has welcomed new faces such as Ayoze Perez, Nicolas Pepe, and Willy Kambwala, who joined from Manchester United for €10 million.
However, the departure of Sorloth, who was their leading scorer with 23 goals last season, raises concerns about their goal-scoring capabilities.
Head to Head
Historically, Atlético Madrid has had the upper hand against Villarreal, especially in recent encounters.
Last season, Atlético secured victories in both fixtures, winning 3-1 at home and 2-1 away.
However, Villarreal has had success against Atlético in the past, and their rivalry has seen a mix of results, with three of the last six matches ending in draws.
This backdrop sets the stage for an intriguing clash as both teams seek to assert their dominance.
Team News
Both teams come into this match with some changes to their rosters.
Atlético Madrid will be without Alvaro Morata, who has departed for AC Milan, and they will also be monitoring Antoine Griezmann, who remains a key player amidst transfer speculation.
Villarreal, on the other hand, will be without Sorloth, which could significantly impact their attacking options.
Marcelino will need to find a way to optimize his squad’s performance and tighten the defense to challenge for a European spot.
Prediction
Considering Atlético Madrid’s strong squad and their previous successes against Villarreal, we predict a narrow victory for the visitors.
The match is likely to be competitive, with both teams eager to start the season on a positive note.
- Score Prediction: Villarreal 1-2 Atlético Madrid
Betting Tips
Atlético Madrid to Win: Betting on an Atlético victory is a prudent choice given their historical dominance in this fixture and their recent form.
Over 2.5 Goals: With both teams capable of scoring, wagering on over 2.5 goals is a favorable option.
Both Teams to Score – Yes: Given Villarreal’s attacking potential and Atlético’s defensive vulnerabilities, placing a bet on both teams to score could be worthwhile.
Antoine Griezmann to Score Anytime: With his goal-scoring ability, betting on Griezmann to find the net during the match offers a promising opportunity.