Real Madrid vs Villarreal: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Prediction
Real Madrid will take on Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on matchday 17, as they look to reclaim their top spot in La Liga.
Madrid drew 1-1 against Real Betis last weekend and dropped to second place in the league table. As for Villarreal, they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Real Sociedad at home.
Match Preview
Despite drawing against Betis at the weekend, Los Blancos responded after beating Union Berlin 3-2 in the final matchday of the Champions League.
Moreover, they have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, winning all six games, and topping Group C.
Their draw against Betis did hurt them as they lost their top spot to Girona. Madrid sit on 39 points in La Liga, two points off the Catalan side.
Despite losing Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao through ACL injuries, Ancelotti’s side has one of the best defensive records in the league this season.
Despite losing 3-0 against Real Sociedad, Marcelino’s men will travel to Madrid in full confidence. However, their campaign has not gone according to plan, as they sit in 13th place, picking up just 16 points in as many matches.
The Yellow Submarine already are 18 points off fourth-placed Barcelona, while they sit 13 off the top six. If they don’t react quickly, they won’t be able to qualify for the European places for next season.
Nevertheless, they have secured their last 16 place in the Europa League, winning Group F on 13 points, courtesy of a 3-2 win over Rennes on the last matchday.
Surprisingly, Villarreal have won heir last two La Liga meetings with Real Madrid, recording a 3-2 success at Bernabeu last season. Their last defeat to Los Blancos came in May 2021.
Real Madrid team news
French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to return to the squad after fracturing his foot against Barcelona in El Clasico.
However, Carvajal, Vini Junior, Camavinga, Arda Guler, Militao and Courtois will remain out for this fixture.
Ancelotti will make changes to his lineup as Toni Kroos, Rudiger and Ferland Mendy are expected to return in the Starting XI.
Villarreal team news
For Villarreal, Santi Comesana, Aissa Mandi, Yeremy Pino and Denis Suarez are all out and will not travel with the squad to the capital city.
Alexander Sorloth started against Rennes in the Europa League on Thursday and is expected to start alongside Gerard Moreno, with potentially Ilias Akhomach.
Marcelino will rely on veteran Dani Parejo and Etienne Capoue to control their midfield.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal: Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu
Villarreal (4-3-3): Jorgensen; Foyth, Albiol, Gabbia, Alti; Capoue, Parejo, Baena; Akhomach, Sorloth, G Moreno
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal
Villarreal, so far this season, have been very disappointing in La Liga, but they will up their game against Real Madrid. A win for the Yellow Submarine could be a big boost. However, Los Blancos are expected to win this and continue their good form in the league.
