Villarreal vs. Atletico Madrid: Team News, Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Rik SharmaApr 28, 2015

It can be hard to motivate players who don't have anything to play for, and that's what Villarreal boss Marcelino is finding right now.

They haven't won in nine games, and there's no chance they'll overtake Sevilla in fifth place, while Malaga are six points behind them in seventh.

That doesn't bode well for the Yellow Submarine ahead of the visit of Diego Simeone's champions, Atletico Madrid.

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The Argentine boss will not let his side slack, even though their title bid is over, with third place the objective for the Rojiblanco now.

It hasn't been an ideal season for either side, but arresting Villarreal's slump is the objective for Marcelino, who has a lot of injury problems.

Jonathan dos Santos misses out because of suspension, but his brother Giovani heads the injury list, which also features Denis Cheryshev, Mateo Musacchio, Bruno and Ikechukwu Uche.

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 14: Arda Turan (R) of Atletico de Madrid runs with the ball ahead of Denis Cheryshev (L) of Villarreal CF during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at Vicente Calderon Stadium on December 14, 2014

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Argentine forward Vietto is also a minor doubt, but Villarreal hope he will be fit as they aim to end their run of seven games with only one goal.

For their part, Atletico have an almost fully fit and available squad, with Guilherme Siqueira the only injury worry.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

Predicted Lineups

Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo, Mario Gaspar, Victor, Eric Bailly, Jaume Costa, Moi Gomez, Manu Trigueros, Tomas Pina, Joel Campbell, Luciano Vietto, Gerard Moreno

Atletico Madrid: Jan Oblak, Juanfran, Miranda, Diego Godin, Jesus Gamez, Arda Turan, Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Mario Mandzukic, Antoine Griezmann

Date: Wednesday, April 29

Time: 9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET

Venue: El Madrigal

TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (UK only)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only)

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 14: Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo (R) of Villarreal CF celebrates their victory with teammates after the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal CF at Vicente Calderon Stadium on December 14, 2014 in Madrid, Spain

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Villarreal results (last six games, most recent first)

D 0-0 away v Real Sociedad
D 0-0 home v Cordoba
D 1-1 away v Getafe
L 0-3 home v Espanyol
D 0-0 away v Valencia
L 0-2 home v Sevilla

Atletico Madrid results (last six games, Liga unless specified)

W 3-0 home v Elche
L 0-1 away v Real Madrid (UCL)
W 2-1 away v Deportivo
D 0-0 home v Real Madrid (UCL)
D 2-2 away v Malaga
W 2-0 home v Real Sociedad

BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Head coach Marcelino Garcia Toral of Villarreal CF looks on during the Copa del Rey Semi-Final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Camp Nou on February 11, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David R

David Ramos/Getty Images

Key Quote

Marcelino, per FourFourTwo:

"
The statistics say we went several games without a win, but we've been good enough to win in that time. We're feeling fine, playing good football and we must stay on this path. We're a young team who have gained experience this season. The manner in which the team has competed has given me great satisfaction. We didn't win, but we're hard to beat and once we have our players back, we'll have recovered our winning edge.
"

Key Battle

Griezmann has been in fine form for Atletico Madrid this season, and besides the superhuman duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, he is La Liga's top scorer.

He will be taking on a young, raw centre-back in Eric Bailly, whom Villarreal signed from Espanyol.

Physically, Bailly can cope with Griezmann's pace. But will he concentrate for the full ninety minutes and keep the Frenchman under wraps?