Real Madrid will look to bounce back from their derby defeat last weekend when they host an in-form Villarreal who sit only two points behind them in La Liga.
Match News and Current Form
Xabi Alonso’s side had won all seven of their fixtures across all competitions going into the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano Stadium, so all eyes will be on how the hosts respond in their first domestic contest since the 5-2 defeat. Real Madrid reacted well to that loss in their long UEFA Champions League (UCL) trip to Almaty on Tuesday, returning with a 5-0 victory, although this weekend’s opposition are likely to provide a much sterner test. An eighth successive La Liga win at the Bernabéu will see los Blancos return to the summit of the table, at least temporarily, after they surrendered top place to Barcelona with last Saturday’s loss.
Villarreal ended their last campaign with six league wins in a row and are constructing yet another formidable winning streak as they seek to register a fourth consecutive La Liga victory here. The Yellow Submarine had not won any of their first three trips across all competitions (D1, L2) this season, but an 86th-minute goal at Sevilla saw them come out on top 2-1 to break the drought in their last road trip. Marcelino’s side will begin this gameweek in third place and with the joint-best defensive record in the division, although they did concede twice on Wednesday at home against Juventus in the UCL before grabbing an injury time equaliser.
Head-to-Head History
Real Madrid are unbeaten across the last four H2Hs (W3, D1) and have beaten Villarreal in five of the last seven meetings (D1, L1) at the Bernabéu.
Hot Stats and Streaks
There have been 5+ total goals across Real Madrid’s last three games across all competitions.
Real Madrid have not drawn any of their last 21 La Liga fixtures (W17, L4).
Villarreal have won their last three league games by a one-goal margin.
Villarreal have kept only one clean sheet from their last nine La Liga away games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Arda Güler has provided an assist in each of Real Madrid’s last three games and also scored in last weekend’s derby - his last six competitive goals all came before half-time. Georges Mikautadze got an assist in Villarreal’s last away game and was on the scoresheet against Juventus on Wednesday.
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal is expected to miss over a month with a calf injury, while Villarreal defender Juan Foyth remains sidelined with a muscle injury.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre
Betting Analysis
Villarreal have been far from prolific in front of goal in away fixtures this season, so we recommend backing a Real Madrid win and clean sheet.
Author: Tom Penn