On Monday night, Villarreal host Atletico Madrid at the Estadio de la Ceramica in a La Liga clash that could be vital for the visitor’s chances of landing a Champions League spot.
Plain sailing for the Yellow SubmarineAfter a woeful start to the campaign, Villarreal has stormed back into form in recent months. The Yellow Submarine are now nine games unbeaten in La Liga, having also recorded four straight victories.
Marcelino’s team recently found their shooting boots, scoring at least two goals in three of their last four outings in La Liga.
The recent good run of form has also made the home side outsiders for a European spot this season, although they are eight points adrift of sixth-place Real Sociedad.
Villarreal are unbeaten in their last six Liga games at the Ceramica, having recorded three wins and three draws.
However, their recent home games in the Spanish top flight have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five outings.
Atletico needs to arrest losing streakDiego Simeone’s team go into this game on the back of La Liga defeats against Cadiz and Barcelona, conceding at least two goals in each loss.
In fact, the men from Madrid have now conceded at least two goals in three of their last four outings in the Spanish top-flight.
Atletico's poor recent defensive performances and results have seen them slip out of the Champions League spots. Los Colchoneros are now a point adrift of fourth-place Athletic Club.
The visitor’s away results need to improve quickly, as Atletico has failed to win in their last four away games in the Spanish top-flight.
Their recent away games have also been relatively low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five matches on their travels in La Liga.
What am I backing?Villarreal are certainly in the better form of the pair. However, Atletico’s poor runs don’t tend to last too long. I expect a fairly even, low-scoring contest in this one, so I am backing under 2.5 goals scored.
