Villarreal vs Atletico: prediction for the La Liga fixture

Villarreal put up a successful performance in the group stage of the Champions League. In the ultimate round team recorded a victory over Atalanta (3:2) and secured a second spot. That result brought the team to the playoffs and in the next month team will try to eliminate Juventus from the tournament. 

Team also got off to a strong start in Copa del Rey, in the first round team trashed Victoria (8:0), then club left no chance to Sanluqueno (7:1). On January 6, The Yellow Submarine suffered a defeat in that tournament - Unai Emery's men were eliminated by Sporting Gijon.

Villarreal is not looking too confident in La Liga. After 19 rounds of the current season hosts have seven victories and seven draws, which brought 28 points and an 8th spot in the standings. Valencians rose to that position after four consecutive victories - over Rayo Vallecano (2:0), Real Sociedad (3:1), Alaves (5:2) and Levante (5:0). 

Paco, Coquelin and Pena won't feature in the match. 

In the last round of Champions League group stage Atletico beat Porto (3:1), this victory secured a 2nd spot in the group for the team. In the first play-off round Madrid team will face Manchester United, led by Cristiano Ronaldo. 

After 19 rounds of La Liga current champion is nowhere near the top position - Real is 14 points ahead of the local rivals. Diego Simeone's men currently have nine victories and five draws, which brought 32 points and a 4th spot in the standings. 

The Red-Whites' defensive line is looking weak, they conceded more than one goal per game. After defeats to Mallorca (1:2), Real Madrid (0:2), Sevilla (1:2) and Granada (1:2) capital club started the 2022 with a victory over Rayo Vallecano (2:0). 

Savic and Griezmann will miss the game due to injuries.