In-form Atletico aiming to sink Yellow Submarine in La Liga clash

Reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid have lost serious ground on current league leaders Barcelona, as hopes of retaining their crown fades, but they will aim to topple European hopefuls Villarreal and keep up their pursuit.

Diego Simeone’s third-placed outfit have been in sublime form of late, securing a rampant run of 10 domestic games without defeat, including six victories, and they are a 5/2 chance with Coral to win to nil on their travels this time out.

The hosts will be envious of such superior form, with the Yellow Submarine having sunk to a recent domestic decline, failing to win a league match in seven attempts and incredibly drawing five of those outings.

Marcelinho Garcia Toral’s men are gunning for a place in Europe’s elite club competition next season and, as they currently reside in sixth position, that task is still achievable, but a result over the defending champions is essential and are 12/5 to triumph on home soil.

The visitors have emerged victorious in four of the previous six meetings with Villarreal, but the home side will be boosted by their narrow 1-0 win at the Vicente Calderon in the reverse fixture last December.

Astute Argentine attacker Luciano Vietto has been superb this current campaign for the Yellow Submarine and, having struck a late winner in that previous win over Atletico, he is a 9/4 chance to add to his 18 goals this season at anytime.

Villarreal forward Gerard Moreno recently stated that the club has been deeply affected by the horrific injury suffered by teammate Mateo Musacchio, with the Argentina international having been ruled out for the season and Copa America with a fractured fibula.

Menacing marksman Moreno will be aiming to fire his side back on track this term and is available at 6/1 to open proceedings in his latest appearance, having already struck 14 times this campaign.