How will Atlético Madrid line up for LALIGA finale at Villarreal?

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 17: Ademola Lookman of Atletico Madrid celebrates 1-0 with David Hancko of Atletico Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico Madrid v Girona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on May 17, 2026 in Madrid Spain (Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images Atlético Madrid have the chance to salvage something — albeit small — as they travel to the East coast of Spain on Sunday night to take on Villarreal CF in a straight shoot-out for third place in the final matchday of this season. Preparando el último partido de la temporada ❤️🤍 pic. twitter.

com/oliDlj2I58 — Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) May 21, 2026 Los Rojiblancos haven’t occupied third spot in LALIGA at the close of matchday since mid-March, but they now have the chance to secure their usual position behind Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in the league table. Atleti (21-6-10, 69 points) require just a point away to the Yellow Submarine to leapfrog them into third, with a tie on points decided by the head-to-head goal difference in the two league meetings between the sides. Back in September, Atleti scooped up their first win of the season with a fine 2-0 victory over Villarreal, putting them in good stead in the event of a draw at Estadio La Cerámica.

The team from tiny town Vila-real (also 21-6-10, 69 points) have more incentives than just winning a football match on Sunday, as manager Marcelino will take his place in the Villarreal dugout for the final time (in this current spell, at least). The man from Asturias has been in charge for the last three years, leading the club to back-to-back UEFA Champions League qualifications for just the second time in their history. As well as wanting to send off their manager in the best possible way, Atlético’s opposition will be playing to achieve their highest league finish since the 2007/08 season.

Third place won’t quite eclipse the silver medal they achieved 18 years ago, but it would be statement of intent that an incoming manager can use to build upon in their quest to disrupt the country’s big three teams. As far as the recent history between these two sides at La Cerámica, Atleti have a positive record to call upon in their quest to get the job done on Sunday. Since losing three matches in a row away to Villarreal between 2015 and 2018, Diego Simeone’s men haven’t been defeated at their place.