KICK OFF TIME 21:00
Team News
- Marcelino's side have been the surprise package of the season, playing free-flowing and adventurous attacking football in each match.
- They had to come from behind in each of their first two games to win but steamrollered Osasuna in their last game.
- Their opponents thus far are nothing like the challenge they will face when Madrid roll into town, but their performances mean they have as good a chance as ever of getting one over Los Blancos.
- Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo missed games for their respective national teams during the week but returned to training on Thursday and should start.
- Gareth Bale may be named in the squad depending on how he responds to the specified fitness programme the club have designed for him, but any participation is likely to be from the bench.
- Madrid have a sense of deja vu after Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo both picked up injuries while on international duty, a repeat of what happened last October.
- Their injuries mean Nacho Fernandez (naturally a centre-back) will have to fill in in an unfamiliar role.
- Diego Lopez will return to the ground where he spent five years as a Villarreal player, while Asier Illaramendi will get some gametime.
Match Facts
| Real Madrid have won 16 of their last 19 matches in La Liga. | Real Madrid win 1.68 |
| Real Madrid have scored at least 2 goals in 16 of their last 19 matches in La Liga. | Over 1.5 goals 1.15 |
| There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 10 of Real Madrid's last 12 games in La Liga. | Over 2.5 goals 1.55 |
| Villarreal have won their last 3 matches in La Liga. | Villarreal win 6.00 |
| There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Villarreal's last 3 games in La Liga. | Over 2.5 goals 1.55 |
| Villarreal have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches in La Liga. | Over 1.5 goals 1.15 |
| Real Madrid are undefeated in their last 6 matches against Villarreal in all competitions. | Real Madrid win or draw 1.20 |
| * Best odds for selected bets are shown |
Prediction
- Madrid have not yet hit top gear and Villarreal, the only team outside last season's top three to win every game this term, will be their toughest test so far.
- The absence of an established left-back means they will be exposed down the wings, an area Villarreal managed to exploit to devastating effect against Osasuna and Almeria.
- Most of the Madrid squad was involved in internationals, in vast contrast to Villarreal, and the hosts may be fresher than Carlo Ancelotti's men. Madrid's injury worries, plus Villarreal's attacking approach will make for an open game, ending in a score draw.
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