Villarreal v Atletico Madrid Prediction: La Liga Match on 04.06.2023

Welcome to the final round of fixtures from the 2022/23 Spanish La Liga season. If you have been following our previews and predictions this season, you’ll know why we love La Liga. It has given us more than its fair share of winners, including the odd upset. Ready to dive into round 38 and aim to nail another prediction before the curtain falls? You’ve come to the right place as our team of experts previews Villarreal v Atletico Madrid from 17:30 GMT on Sunday. But which team will land all three points?

Villarreal holds the home advantage, and fans hope their team will make it count as they aim to end on a high after securing a fifth-place finish. Holding their ground isn’t an issue here, as the home team is five points behind the top four and five better than the team in sixth. That means we could see Villarreal down tools and enjoy the game with one eye firmly on the summer break. If that’s the case, it could make for an easy day if you’re a lover of Atletico Madrid, who are in the hunt for that runners-up spot ahead of last season’s champions Real Madrid.

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The stats sheet shows these teams have already met in competitive action this season, with Atletico Madrid suffering a shock 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Villarreal. Yeremi Pino and Gerard Moreno scored the goals, but the game was slightly more competitive than the bare result suggests. Both goals came late in the day, with the opener on 73 minutes and the second scored with 90 on the clock. Interestingly, Villarreal hasn’t lost a game against Atletico Madrid in three, a run stretching back to February 2021. Will that agonising wait end for Madrid fans?

The hosts lost last time

After confirming their top-five finish and brushing themselves down after the disappointment of missing out on Champions League football next season, it’s difficult to know what’s left for the home team. Will they relax, give youth and reserve players a chance to show what they can do with next season in mind? Perhaps they’ll start strong with the desire to send their fans off into summer on the back of a win. Neither result would surprise us, and that’s the danger of making predictions so late in the season.

On the stats, Villarreal is in good shape, having won three and drawn one of their last five league starts. That trio of victories was scored quickly as the squad showed they can turn it on when it matters most. Involved in a savage battle for the top four and major prizes, the locals kept their end of the bargain, taking nine points from a possible nine to leave them in a handy position. Unfortunately for supporters, Real Sociedad held their nerve to bank fourth. The focus must now be on finishing with a win before enjoying a break and working on improvement during pre-season.

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Despite that hattrick of wins, Villarreal lost last time out when beaten by Rayo Vallecano on the road. That shocked many followers and may indicate what to expect on Sunday. Two second-half goals undid the beaten team that day, and it was over as a contest by the time Lo Celso bagged a consolation goal in 83 minutes. It was too little too late for Villarreal, and everyone inside the home dressing room knew much better was expected and required before kick-off. Let’s see if they can deliver for their loyal support.

Atletico eye the silver medal

You may not have fancied them earlier in the season, but Atletico Madrid are in the running for a top-two finish and are pushing last season’s champions Real Madrid all the way to the wire. Atletico travel for this match with more to play for than their hosts, knowing victory and a favour elsewhere would nudge them into the silver medal position. That would increase their prize money, give them a better draw in the Champions League and give fans the bragging rights over the Real faithful.

Madrid won the La Liga title not long ago and fans expected them to kick on from there, strengthening their squad, bring fresh ideas and dominating Spanish football. Things didn’t go to plan, of course, and many of Atletico’s title-winning team were sold for huge profits and replaced with inferior players. That hurt the team last year and they finished well off the pace set by their city rivals. Now that Barcelona are back in the mix and winning championships, it’s between the two clubs from Madrid to scrap for the leftovers.

Atletico Madrid is one point behind Real Madrid with just three points left to play for in this campaign. If they fail to beat Villarreal, other results won’t matter as Real will end as the best of the rest. If Atletico gets the away win they are hoping for, they must cross their fingers and ask Athletic Bilbao to win in Madrid. That’s a big ask on both fronts, but La Liga fans know nothing can be taken for granted in this competition. There’s still more drama to come.

Villarreal v Atletico Madrid prediction

Villarreal have performed well this season, possibly better than many of their fans had imagined back in pre-season. But they have run their race, secured fifth place in the table and can now down tools, enjoying one final game before taking a well-earned rest and focusing on next season.

Atletico Madrid doesn’t have that luxury. They must keep driving at second place, believing they can pull off what once looked like the impossible. The three points means more to Atletico Madrid and if they want to finish on a high, they are certainly capable.

La Liga odds

The pre-match betting odds available to 22Bet members has Villarreal at 2.64 for a win or you can support Atletico Madrid in their quest for three points at 2.475. The draw wouldn’t surprise anyone, given the time of year, and a level finish is 3.7.

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