Real Madrid vs Villarreal Match Preview: Team news, possible lineups, predictions & h2h
Real Madrid vs Villarreal Match Preview: Team news, possible lineups, predictions & h2h. Real Madrid would be aiming to close the gap on Clasico rivals Barcelona on Saturday when they face Villarreal in La Liga.
Los Blancos had made an unbeaten start to the new season, until a surprise defeat to French outfit Lille in the Champions League midweek. Even the introduction of Kylian Mbappe off the bench couldn’t prevent them from slumping to a 1-0 loss.
However, the reigning Spanish and European champions remain unbeaten in La Liga after an eventful Madrid derby with neighbours Atletico Madrid last weekend. A 95th-minute equaliser from Angel Correa denied Carlo Ancelotti‘s side from taking all three points, and also utilizing the advantage of Barcelona’s 4-2 defeat to Osasuna.
Villarreal are certain to pose Madrid a tough challenge on Saturday night given they currently sit third in the table and just a point off Los Blancos. Marcelino’s side have won five of their opening eight La Liga matches, with only table-toppers Barca scoring more than them.
Here is how we preview the La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Villarreal this weekend.
What time does Real Madrid vs Villarreal kick-off?
Location: Madrid, Spain
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Date: Saturday 5 October
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez
VAR: Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez
Real Madrid vs Villarreal H2H Record (Last Five Games);
Real Madrid: 2 wins
Villarreal: 2 wins
Draws: 1
Last meeting: Villarreal 4-4 Real Madrid (19 May 2024) – La Liga
Real Madrid team news;
Mbappe returned sooner than expected against Lille but that’s where the good news stops for Ancelotti. He remains without David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz and others have filled up the treatment room in recent weeks.
Thibaut Courtois missed the defeat to Lille and will be replaced by Andriy Lunin again on Saturday. Eder Militao, who scored in last weekend’s Madrid derby, is also a doubt after being withdrawn in the second half on Wednesday with a thigh issue.
Rodrygo was also an absentee for the trip to France midweek but should be fit to feature from the start this weekend. Mbappe should replace Endrick up front and Aurelien Tchouameni may have to plug the gap in defence again, if Militao is sidelined.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Villarreal
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Villarreal (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Villarreal team news;
Villarreal could well be without their top scorer on Saturday, with Ayoze Perez expected to miss the trip to Madrid. He’s scored six goals already this term while partnering Thierno Barry but is likely to be sidelined with a muscle problem.
Denis Suarez is also a doubt for the weekend and will join Gerard Moreno, Willy Kambwala, Alfonso Pedraza and Juan Foyth on the sidelines if he misses out.
Villarreal are without Alexander Sorloth for this one following his move to Atletico Madrid over the summer, with the Norwegian having scored four times for the Yellow Submarine in a 4-4 draw with Madrid last season.
Villarreal predicted lineup vs Real Madrid
Villarreal predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2): Conde; Femenia, Bailly, Costa, Cardona; Akhomach, Parejo, Gueye, Baena; Pepe, Barry.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal score prediction;
These two sides have clashed five times over the past two seasons, combining for 26 goals in those meetings. There was a 4-4 draw and 4-1 victory for Madrid last season, while Villarreal managed a 3-2 win at the Bernabeu in 2022/23.
Villarreal may have scored 17 times in their opening eight matches but only bottom two Real Valladolid and Las Palmas have conceded more than them. Madrid’s immense attacking firepower should get some joy against Marcelino’s men in what promises to be a thriller.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal
