Real Madrid had two tough tests this season in La Liga and lost both to Betis & Atletico Madrid. Villarreal's form in late September was fantastic, so I don't see them losing convincingly at Bernabeu.
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have lost 2 of their last 4 matches (La Liga).
- Villarreal have won in +2 handicap in their last 9 matches.
- Villarreal have scored 2+ goals in 4 of their last 5 matches.
This Will be Their 56th Head to Head Clash
Real Madrid hold a 32-6 advantage against Villarreal in head to head matches, 17 encounters ending without a winner.
Los Blancos Trying to Return to Winning Ways
Real Madrid are facing difficulties keeping up with Barcelona in La Liga, collecting 15 points from seven matches and currently sit in 4th place, six points behind their archrivals.
The first slip-up for Jose Mourinho's side was a 1-0 loss to Real Betis in early September. Even though they responded with back to back victories against Rayo Vallecano 4-1 and Elche 3-2, Los Blancos suffered a painful 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid just before the break.
Their start to the UEFA Champions League main stage was successful, beating Inter Milan 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu but this game could have gone either way, the opposition missing multiple chances.
Villarreal Won Their Last Two Games
Villarreal appointed Inigo Perez as their new head manager in early July and they had a lot of problems to find consistency from mid-August to mid-September.
The Yellow Submarine started the new La Liga campaign with two consecutive 2-2 draws against Santander and Atletico Madrid, then lost their next three league games to Alaves 1-0, La Coruna 3-2 and Betis 2-1.
Their performances finally improved just before the international break, defeating recently promoted Malaga 3-1 on the road, then the same scoreline was seen at home against Levante. Albergo Moleiro and Pape Gueye netted two goals each in these victories.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1) Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Antonio Rudiger, Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella; Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva; Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Kylian Mbappe
Rodrygo remains out long-term with a knee injury alongside Ferland Mendy and Raul Asencio, while Dean Huijsen serves a suspension following his red card. However, Real Madrid have received encouraging signs as Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate look ready to start.
Rodrygo remains out long-term with a knee injury alongside Ferland Mendy and Raul Asencio, while Dean Huijsen serves a suspension following his red card. However, Real Madrid have received encouraging signs as Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate look ready to start.
Villarreal (4-2-3-1) Diego Conde; Kiko Femenia, Raul Albiol, Logan Costa, Sergi Cardona; Pape Gueye, Nathan Saliba; Ilias Akhomach, Alberto Moleiro, Nicolas Pepe; Ayoze Perez
Midfielder Tajon Buchanan is the only confirmed absentee for the visitors, recovering from a muscle injury.
Midfielder Tajon Buchanan is the only confirmed absentee for the visitors, recovering from a muscle injury.