Real Madrid will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat since January when they host Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday night. Carlo Ancelotti’s team is currently second in the league, trailing leaders Barcelona by three points. Villarreal, meanwhile, have had a strong start to the season and sit in third place, just one point behind Real Madrid.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal: Preview
Ancelotti will be demanding a response from his players after their 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League midweek, with Jonathan David’s penalty, following an Eduardo Camavinga handball, proving decisive. That defeat marked their first in all competitions since January. Adding to the disappointment, Real Madrid also let a lead slip against Atletico Madrid last weekend, with a late equalizer resulting in a 1-1 draw in the Madrid derby.
Match Details
Match: Villarreal @ Real Madrid
Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Date & Time: Oct 5, 2024 at 8 pm UK
Real Madrid vs Villarreal: Team News & Head-to-Head
Real Madrid
Despite these setbacks, Real Madrid remain unbeaten in La Liga this season. Their last league defeat came against Atletico Madrid in September 2023. A victory against Villarreal would help ease the pressure on Ancelotti and boost the morale of the team. However, another poor performance could raise concerns, considering the high standards set by the club and its manager.
Real Madrid will be without key players, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender David Alaba, while Villarreal are missing Gerard Moreno, Juan Foyth, and Alfonso Pedraza due to injury, with Ayoze Perez also doubtful.
Villarreal
Villarreal finished eighth last season, which was disappointing given their previous top-five finishes, but they have started this season impressively, sitting third with 17 points from eight matches.
Marcelino’s Villarreal have won three of their last four league games, including victories over Espanyol and Las Palmas. With 17 goals scored, they have the second-best attack in the league, behind only Barcelona, who have 25. However, Villarreal’s defense remains a concern, as they have conceded 15 goals, the third-worst record in the division.
Head-to-Head
Real Madrid thrashed Villarreal 4-1 at home in the league last season, but they have only managed one win in their last six league encounters with the Yellow Submarine. Villarreal will be the fresher of the two sides, having last played in a league match against Las Palmas on September 30.
Possible Starting XI
Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Villarreal: Conde; Femenia, Bailly, Costa, S Cardona; Akhomach, Parejo, Gueye, Baena; Barry, Pepe.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal: Prediction
Villarreal will aim to capitalize on Real Madrid’s recent struggles, having won two of their last four league meetings with Los Blancos, including a 3-2 win at the Bernabeu in April 2023. Real Madrid are the clear ones to bag three points from this fixture, but anything can happen considering their recent form.
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