After a shocking defeat in the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid will look to return to winning ways when they host Villarreal in La Liga.
It is time for a top-of-the-table clash in La Liga as second-placed Real Madrid are all set to host third-placed Villarreal. The two teams, who are separated by only one point, will be looking for their sixth league win of the new campaign.
Los Blancos are unbeaten in La Liga, with five wins and three draws, and they will look to keep that record intact. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have not had the best of times of late. They dropped points against rivals Atletico Madrid despite being ahead in the game for most parts.
Things went from bad to worst when their year-long unbeaten run came to an end in the UEFA Champions League against LOSC Lille. The Spanish giants were not clinical enough in the final third of the pitch and they paid the price.
Real Madrid will look to return to winning ways against Villarreal but won’t find it easy against a Villarreal outfit who have made a strong start to the new season. The visitors have five wins to their name, they have played out a draw twice and lost once so far.
After a five 5-1 hammering at the hands of Barcelona, Villarreal have secured back-to-back wins against Espanyol and UD Las Palmas. While the Yellow Submarine are on a two-game winning streak, they will have to suffer a lot against Los Blancos in this fixture if they want to come out with something. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois has not recovered yet, and he remains on the sidelines with Brahim Diaz and David Alaba. While Dani Ceballos did take part in group training sessions, he is not yet a hundred per cent. Rodrygo trained individually, which means he might not start once again. Eder Militao is a major doubt for this fixture because of a thigh problem.
Carlo Ancelotti should revert to the 4-3-3 formation. Andriy Lunin will continue in goal, while Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy should retain their spots as the full-backs. Aurelien Tchouameni could drop into the heart of the defence for this fixture. He should partner with Antonio Rudiger.
Eduardo Camavinga should take up the role of a defensive midfielder. He should have the support of Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham in the centre of the park. Kylian Mbappe should return to the starting XI. He will lead the line, while Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior could be seen on either flank.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius
Villarreal
Villarreal will be without the services of Juan Foyth, Alfonso Pedraza, Willy Kambwala, and Gerard Moreno against Real Madrid this weekend. Meanwhile, the availability of Denis Suarez and Ayoze Perez is a doubt.
Marcelino’s team will continue to feature in a 4-4-2 formation, where Diego Conde will be in goal. Kiko Femenia and Sergi Cardona should be the full-backs for the home team, while Eric Bailly and Logan Costa should feature in the heart of the defence. Ilias Akhomach and the Real Madrid-linked Alex Baena will feature out wide in midfield.
They will look to help out the full-backs and also provide width to their forwards. In the centre of the park, Dani Parejo will start alongside Pape Gueye. The duo will look to ensure Real Madrid do not end up dominating the ball. With Perez doubtful for this outing, Nicolas Pepe could start in this fixture alongside Thierno Barry.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Conde; Femenia, Bailly, Costa, S Cardona; Akhomach, Parejo, Gueye, Baena; Barry, Pepe
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have won 24 out of the last 47 matches against Villarreal, who only have six wins to their name.
- Los Blancos have only won one of their last six matches against the Yellow Submarine. Their join-worst record against an opponent.
- In the last 48 meetings between Real Madrid and Villarreal, 17 matches have ended in a draw.
- While the team in white lost in the UEFA Champions League last time out, they are unbeaten in their last 40 league games. That is their second-best unbeaten streak in the competition.
- The visitors have been unbeaten in their last six away games in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe made a very quick return following an injury. While he has not been included in the French squad for the upcoming international break, he is expected to start this fixture. Having scored seven goals and bagged an assist in his first ten outings for Real Madrid, he will look to continue the rich vein of form when he takes the field against Villarreal.
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal
Los Blancos are heading into this fixture on the back of a defeat at the hands of Lille. They were not their best last time out and will be eager to return to winning ways. Carlo Ancelotti’s team will give it their all to win against Villarreal.
While the visitors have won their last two league outings, they might not be able to stand tall against Real Madrid. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.
