Preview: Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal - prediction, team news, lineups

Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it successive wins at the start of the 2026-27 La Liga campaign when they welcome Villarreal to the Spanish capital on Sunday afternoon.

Diego Simeone's side opened their new season with a 2-0 success over Malaga last time out, while Villarreal drew 2-2 with Racing Santander in their first game of the campaign.

Match preview

Atletico were not at their best against Malaga last time out, but late goals from Lee Kang-in and Alex Baena allowed Simeone's side to open their new La Liga campaign with a 2-0 success.

The Red and Whites finished fourth in Spain's top flight last season, three points behind third-placed Villarreal, while they were 25 points off the champions Barcelona.

There is plenty of room for improvement this season, but Atletico are currently battling to keep hold of star player Julian Alvarez, who expressed a desire to leave earlier this summer; Barcelona want the Argentine, but Simeone's side continue to insist that he is not for sale.

Atletico have managed to make four signings this summer, bringing in Cristian Romero, Morten Hjulmand, Kang-in and Alejandro Grimaldo.

The Red and Whites have only actually won 17 of their previous 50 matches against Villarreal in all competitions, and it was 5-1 to the Yellow Submarine in their last meeting in May 2026.

That said, Atletico did run out 2-0 winners in the reverse game on home soil, and Villarreal will certainly not be underestimating their opponents in this contest.

Villarreal drew 2-2 with Racing Santander in their opening match of the new season, with the Yellow Submarine actually needing to come from two goals behind to claim a point.

Now under the management of Inigo Perez, Villarreal will play in the league phase of this season's Champions League courtesy of their third-placed finish in the 2025-26 La Liga table.

Perez's team have only actually made one signing this summer, bringing in Peter Gulacsi from RB Leipzig, but they are expected to be busy before the market closes.

Villarreal have a recent away success over Atletico to their name, winning 2-0 in the Spanish capital in August 2022.

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

Villarreal La Liga form:

Team News

Atletico could be without the services of Alexander Sorloth due to a muscular problem, but Thomas Lemar and Romero may be named in the squad.

Alvarez continues to be linked with a move away from Atletico, and it remains to be seen whether the Argentina international is in the squad, but he will not be a starter on Sunday.

Alex Baena, Grimaldo and Marcos Llorente could all potentially be introduced into the side following the Malaga clash, while Giuliano Simeone is also a candidate to feature from the start after an appearance off the bench last time out.

As for Villarreal, Alassane Diatta is suspended, but the Yellow Submarine are otherwise in strong shape for the clash with Simeone's side.

Gerard Moreno could be introduced into the starting side following the game with Racing Santander, with Ayoze Perez potentially being the player to drop out.

There is set to be a spot through the middle for Georges Mikautadze, while Nicolas Pepe will start off the back of his goal in the team's opening match of the new campaign.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Llorente, Hancko, Le Normand, Grimaldo; Barrios, Koke; Simeone, Kang-in, Baena; Lookman

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Junior; Mourino, Foyth, Veiga, Romero; Comesana, Gueye; Pepe, Moreno, Moleiro; Mikautadze

We say: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Villarreal

Atletico are currently short at centre-forward due to Alvarez's situation, and Villarreal are capable of picking up a positive result here, but we just fancy Simeone's side to shade a close contest.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.