Rodrygo Goes and Eduardo Camavinga will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup when they take on Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica on Saturday.
Real Madrid will aim to return to the top of the 2025/26 La Liga standings when they lock horns with Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica on Saturday night. Alvaro Arbeloa has received a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Brahim Diaz is available after fulfilling his commitment at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Rodrygo Goes has recovered from a knock to make it to the travelling squad. The group also features Dani Carvajal and David Alaba.
However, Aurelien Tchouameni serves a suspension, while Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are still in the treatment room. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arbeloa confirmed that Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz would be available to take on Villarreal this weekend.
The Real Madrid boss said, “He [Rodrygo] will be in the squad. I’m delighted to have him [Brahim Diaz] back with us. He has shown his abilities at Real Madrid and also during the Africa Cup of Nations. He brings a lot of attacking threat and the ability to play between the lines. He can give us a lot in different positions.”
“I see him well. He has a great maturity, a great mentality and he is ready to help the team, which is important. We’re going to need him and I’m very happy to have a player like him and to try to get the most out of him.”
Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Villarreal on Saturday. The backline will feature Federico Valverde, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras.
As for the midfield unit, Eduardo Camavinga will replace Aurelien Tchouameni, joining Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham in the middle of the park. Finally, Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for the away side against Villarreal, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo being the two wide attackers.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Huijsen, Asencio, Carreras; Guler, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
