Estadio de la Ceramica will play host to an intriguing La Liga battle on Monday evening, with Villarreal welcoming Atletico Madrid in gameweek one of the new campaign.
Villarreal finished eighth in La Liga last season to miss out on European football, while Atletico were fourth, meaning that they will once again be present in the first phase of the Champions League this term.
Villarreal's 2023-24 La Liga campaign will have to go down as a disappointment, as they missed out on a spot in the top seven for the first time since 2018-19, while it was just the second season that they had finished lower than seventh since gaining promotion back to the top flight in 2013.
The Yellow Submarine will undoubtedly have their eyes on a European spot this term, and they have managed to boost their squad with the signings of six new players this summer, including Ayoze Perez and Nicolas Pepe.
However, there have been two notable departures, with leading goalscorer from last season Alexander Sorloth joining Atletico in a big-money deal, while goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has made the switch to Chelsea.
Marcelino's side only played four friendlies over the summer, and they will enter this match off the back of a 4-0 defeat to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Villarreal lost both league games against Atletico during the 2023-24 campaign, while they have only won one of their last 12 La Liga fixtures against the Red and Whites, which was a 2-0 success in Madrid in August 2022.
Atletico are actually unbeaten away from home against Villarreal since March 2018, and the capital giants will be bidding to send a message with a victory in gameweek one of the new campaign, as they look to potentially launch a title challenge this term.
Diego Simeone's side finished fourth in La Liga last term, some 19 points behind the champions Real Madrid, but they will be expecting at least a top-three finish this time around, especially considering their strong transfer business.
Indeed, the Red and Whites have brought in Julian Alvarez, Robin Le Normand and Sorloth - three players who are set to come straight into the first XI - and a deal for Chelsea's Conor Gallagher is expected to soon be confirmed.
Alvaro Morata has been the team's biggest departure, while there have also been exits for the likes of Stefan Savic, Saul Niguez, Mario Hermoso and Memphis Depay.
Atletico were in impressive form during pre-season, posting four wins, including a 2-0 success over Juventus in their final friendly of the summer last weekend, with Joao Felix and Angel Correa on the scoresheet.
Key Players to Watch
Villarreal
Villarreal will be without the services of three first-team players for this match, with Juan Foyth, Alfonso Pedraza and Denis Suarez unavailable for selection.
There are expected to be debutants in the home side's XI, with Willy Kambwala in line to feature at the back, while Sergi Cardona, Perez, Diego Conde and Pape Gueye should all be in the side on Monday night.
Gerard Moreno operated in a wide area for long stages of last season but is expected to play through the middle this term, while Alex Baena and Yeremy Pino are set to be in the starting side for the Yellow Submarine here.
Atletico Madrid
As for Atletico, Alvarez is in line to make his debut following a big-money switch from Manchester City, and he could be joined by Sorloth in the final third of the field.
Sorloth scored 26 times for Villarreal last season, including 23 in La Liga, and he could come back to haunt his former club in this contest.
Felix scored against Juventus last time out, but the Portugal international is expected to leave before the end of the transfer window, so he is unlikely to be included.
Antoine Griezmann should be in the XI, though, while Koke, Marcos Llorente and Rodrigo De Paul are also in line for starts on Monday night.
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid: Match Preview
With a new season comes fresh beginnings, and this encounter will see the two sides eager to make a statement. Villarreal, aiming for a return to European competition, will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, with their ambitions of challenging for the title, will be hoping for a strong start to the season.
Both sides boast talented squads, and their recent transfer activity suggests they're ready to make a mark. Villarreal's recent signings are an indication of their commitment to challenging for a European spot. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, have shown a real intent to reclaim their title glory, with the addition of Alvarez and Sorloth to their ranks.
The clash between these two teams promises to be an exciting affair, with both sides having the quality to win. Villarreal's home advantage could be a factor, but Atletico Madrid's squad depth and attacking prowess should not be underestimated.
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid: Betting Odds
Atletico Madrid's recent record against Villarreal is strong, including a 2-1 victory in the corresponding match last season, and we are backing the same scoreline here, with Sorloth possibly registering against his former club.
The betting odds reflect the slight advantage Atletico Madrid holds in this matchup, with the away side being the favorites. However, Villarreal's home advantage and their recent performance, especially in the second half of last season, suggests that they are not to be underestimated.
Conclusion: A Tightly Contested Matchup
This match promises to be a closely contested affair, with both sides having the quality to win. Villarreal's recent resurgence and their home advantage could be a significant factor, but Atletico Madrid's squad depth and attacking prowess cannot be ignored.
The first match of the season often throws up surprises, and it's likely that we'll see both sides trying to impose their style on the game. With new signings and a renewed sense of purpose, this fixture will be a fascinating watch for La Liga fans across the globe.
