Atlético Madrid will be looking to secure their first win of the season as they face an unbeaten Villarreal in La Liga.
Match News and Current Form
It might still be early days this term, but some Atlético fans are concerned about the direction of travel for their side, who have picked up just two points so far this season (D2, L1). It's the first time that the club have gone three without a win to kick off a La Liga campaign since 2009/10, with Diego Simeone’s men not helped by letting a lead slip in all three encounters. The home comforts of the Metropolitano Stadium might inspire a return to form though, as Los Rojiblancos have only lost one of their last 20 top-flight games there (W14, D5), scoring 2+ goals on 12 of those occasions.
Putting that record to the test will be a Villarreal outfit who are enjoying their joint-longest unbeaten run in nearly five years. Wins against Real Oviedo (2-0) and Girona (5-0), followed by a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo immediately before the international break, mean that the Yellow Submarine are enjoying a nine-game sequence without defeat in La Liga (W8, D1) and are in a lofty position in the table. That standing comes as a result of having scored more goals than any other team in the division ahead of this round of fixtures (eight), with their attacking options strengthened by the arrivals of Georges Mikautadze and Manor Solomon on transfer deadline day.
Head-to-Head History
Atleti have certainly had the better of this match-up in recent years, losing just one of the last 14 H2Hs (W5, D8), with the last five meetings seeing both teams score.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Atlético are the only side in La Liga to have seen both teams score in all their matches this season.
Ahead of this round, Atlético are one of only three teams in the division yet to score a second-half goal.
Villarreal have the highest pre-round shot conversion rate of any La Liga side in 2025/26 (15.4%).
Villarreal haven't conceded a first-half goal yet this season.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Atleti’s deadline-day arrival Nicolás González is unbeaten in the last 20 games that he has scored in at club level (W18, D2). Ahead of this round, Villarreal’s Nicolas Pépé has registered the most efforts on target in the division (seven), finding the net twice.
Atlético’s Álex Baena will not be fit to face his former side after being treated for acute appendicitis. Villarreal’s absentee list could be fairly lengthy, and will include Willy Kambwala (hamstring) and Logan Costa (ACL).
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Atlético are heavily favoured by Opta, but Villarreal's strong start to the season means backing a draw could be a shrewd selection here.
Author: Matt Jones