Atletico vs Villarreal – News and Probable Lineups

Atletico Madrid is set on securing consecutive victories right from the beginning of the 2026-27 La Liga season as they prepare to host Villarreal in the Spanish capital this Sunday afternoon.

Diego Simeone’s squad kicked off their season with a 2-0 triumph over Malaga in their latest fixture, while Villarreal settled for a 2-2 draw against Racing Santander in their opening match of the campaign.

Match overview

Although Atletico did not showcase their best performance against Malaga last time out, late goals from Lee Kang-in and Alex Baena ensured Simeone’s team began their La Liga journey with a 2-0 win.

The Red and Whites finished in fourth place in Spain’s premier division last season, three points behind third-placed Villarreal, and were 25 points away from the reigning champions, Barcelona.

There remains ample scope for enhancement this season, yet Atletico finds themselves in a tussle to retain their star player Julian Alvarez, who has expressed a wish to depart earlier this summer; Barcelona has shown interest in the Argentine, but Simeone’s team is firm in asserting that he is off the market.

This summer, Atletico has successfully made four new additions, welcoming Cristian Romero, Morten Hjulmand, Kang-in, and Alejandro Grimaldo.

In their past 50 encounters against Villarreal across all competitions, the Red and Whites have managed to secure only 17 victories, with the Yellow Submarine defeating them 5-1 in their most recent match-up in May 2026.

Notably, Atletico did secure a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture at home, and Villarreal will certainly not underestimate their opponents in this match.

Villarreal kicked off the new season with a 2-2 draw against Racing Santander, managing to come from two goals behind to earn a point.

Now under the guidance of Inigo Perez, Villarreal will compete in the league phase of this season’s Champions League following their third-place finish in the 2025-26 La Liga standings.

Perez’s side has made just one signing this summer, acquiring Peter Gulacsi from RB Leipzig, but they are anticipated to be active in the transfer market before it closes.

Villarreal boasts a recent victory away to Atletico, having won 2-0 in the Spanish capital in August 2022.

Team News

Atletico might be without Alexander Sorloth due to a muscle injury, although Thomas Lemar and Romero could potentially be included in the squad.

Alvarez remains linked with a move away from Atletico, and it remains uncertain whether the Argentine international will be part of the squad, though he is unlikely to start on Sunday.

Following the encounter with Malaga, Alex Baena, Grimaldo, and Marcos Llorente could all be introduced into the lineup, while Giuliano Simeone is also a candidate to start having made an appearance off the bench last time out.

As for Villarreal, Alassane Diatta is suspended, but the Yellow Submarine is in good shape heading into the encounter with Simeone’s squad.

Gerard Moreno might be reinstated into the starting lineup after the match against Racing Santander, with Ayoze Perez potentially the one to drop out.

There is expected to be a place through the middle for Georges Mikautadze, while Nicolas Pepe will take to the field following his goal in the team’s opening match of the new campaign.

Atletico Madrid probable starting XI:

Oblak; Llorente, Hancko, Le Normand, Grimaldo; Barrios, Koke; Simeon, Kang-in, Brothers; Lookman

Villarreal probable starting XI:

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

Atletico currently faces a shortage at centre-forward due to Alvarez’s situation, and Villarreal possesses the capability of obtaining a positive result here, but we slightly favor Simeone’s side to edge a tightly contested match.