Atlético Madrid, Villarreal Set Third-Place La Liga Standings Duel

Atlético Madrid travel to Villarreal on Sunday night with third place in the la liga standings at stake on the final matchday. Both sides have 69 points and identical 21-6-10 records, and Diego Simeone’s team need only a point to move above Villarreal.

Villarreal and Atlético Madrid

If the teams finish level on points, the head-to-head goal difference from their two league meetings decides the order. Atlético won the first meeting 2-0 in September, so a draw would still leave them with a route to third place if that margin holds up in the tie-break.

That puts Sunday’s match at Estadio La Cerámica into direct focus. Villarreal can protect the position they hold now, while Atlético can finish above them with a result that matches the gap on the table.

Marcelino’s final home spell

Marcelino will sit in the Villarreal dugout for the final time in his current spell. He has been in charge for the last three years, and Villarreal have already locked up back-to-back UEFA Champions League qualifications for only the second time in their history.

The table gives Villarreal another target as well. Third would be their highest league finish since the 2007/08 season, which adds more weight to a match already carrying direct consequences for both clubs.

Le Normand and Griezmann

Atlético go into the game without Robin Le Normand, who is suspended after collecting five yellow cards. Antoine Griezmann is expected to start what would be his last-ever game for Atlético Madrid, with Koke, Álex Baena and Obed Vargas expected to line up in midfield.

Atlético have also avoided defeat at Villarreal for years, with their last run of losses there coming in three straight away matches between 2015 and 2018. Luis de la Fuente will name the traveling Spain team on Monday, but for Atlético the immediate task is simpler: get something from Villarreal and take control of third place.