Top 4 rivals Atletico Madrid and Villarreal will contest a high-profile affair at Wanda Metropolitano, with three points separating the two sides in the La Liga standings.

Los Colchoneros did not exactly impress in the opening exchanges, suffering several unexpected slip-ups, but they managed to remain in Champions League positions.

Atletico Madrid occupy fourth place in the standings after nine matches with five wins and four draws, trailing leaders Barcelona six points.

Los Colchoneros are going through a very rough patch at the moment, having won just one of last six fixtures on all fronts, and they are priced at 1.53 (8/15) to defeat Villarreal.

Atletico couldn’t beat Chelsea and Barcelona in their last two fixtures on home soil, but they should have an easier job against the Yellow Submarine.

Head coach Diego Simeone rested all key men in the Copa del Rey clash against Elche and he is now set to revert to his strongest line-up.

There have been some good news as Koke has stepped up his recovery from injury, but he is unlikely to face Villarreal.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Oblak – Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Filipe Luis – Saul, Gabi, Partey, Carrasco – Correa, Griezmann.

Villarreal struggled to cope with the busy schedule at the start of the season, losing their first two La Liga fixtures, but they did well to return to the right track with back to back wins over Real Betis and Deportivo Alaves.

The team then suffered another dip in form that saw them fail to score in three successive matches, but they are now back in business.

While somewhat struggling in Europa League and Copa del Rey, Villarreal recorded three consecutive wins in La Liga, thus climbing to sixth in the overall standings.

In-form Cedric Bakambu has been the hero of late, and he now has 8 goals in as many league appearances this term, but coach Javi Calleja will also need Carlos Bacca, Nicola Sansone and Enes Unal to start chipping in.

Adrian Marin returned into action after recovering from a knee injury, while Nicola Sansone returns from a Copa del Rey ban.

The likes of Bruno Soriano, Sergio Asenjo and Ruben Semedo remain in the treatment room, whereas a number of first team regulars will be recalled.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Barbosa – Mario, A. Gonzalez, Ruiz, Jaume Costa – Castillejo, Rodri, Trigueros, Fornals – Bacca, Bakambu.