The top two in La Liga after the first game of the season last weekend will meet at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium this weekend with Atletico Madrid aiming to improve on their stunning past few weeks of action after Villarreal’s excellent start to the new season.
It’s been a near perfect few weeks for Diego Simeone. He’s seen his side thrash Juventus 4-0 in preseason, beat Manchester United 1-0 just a few days later, and then start the new La Liga season with a faultless performance against Getafe.
This Sunday LaLiga returns to the Cívitas @Metropolitano 🔴⚪Cheer for our team in the great match 🆚 Villarreal! 👏We're counting on you! ❤️🤍— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 19, 2022
This Sunday LaLiga returns to the Cívitas @Metropolitano 🔴⚪Cheer for our team in the great match 🆚 Villarreal! 👏We're counting on you! ❤️🤍
Atletico were ruthless in their win away from home on the opening weekend of action, as Alvaro Morata scored a rare two goals in the game in a fantastic attacking display from the forwards.
His two goals were matched by Antoine Griezmann's upturn in form, as he netted with 15 minutes to go with another smart goal from the Frenchman. Simeone's men restricted a struggling Getafe side to no shots on target in the game too, as Atletico saw 59% of the ball that day.
Villarreal, on the other hand, can shout just as loud as Atletico heading into this game after an excellent run of form of their own. They too kicked off their La Liga campaign with an impressive 3-0 away win , as Nicolas Jackson scored before a late Alex Baena brace for the club against Real Valladolid.
The defensive qualities in the game were not as strong as Atletico's, but with five shots on target for Villarreal, they've proved their worth in the attacking sense early on.
Unai Emery’s men also schooled Hajduk Split in the Europa Conference League Qualifiers just days later, however, in a 4-2 victory to all but secure their spot in this season’s competition.
Jose Luis Morales scored twice that day, before an own goal and a first of the season for the impressive goalscorer, Gerard Moreno, secured a 4-2 win and a 4-1 lead at half time. Combine this with a 4-2 preseason win over Inter Milan and three other victories in the summer, and Emery sits with his team in great form ahead of travelling to Madrid.
It’s a tough game to call here after such excellent starts to the season for both teams and well-drilled preseasons too. Forebet does predict an upset here and a Villarreal win.
They’ve been sensational so far, and Forebet predicts another victory and for the game to see under 2.5 goals against Atletico.