Second-placed Real Madrid welcome third-placed Villarreal in La Liga hoping to bounce back from their first defeat this season.
RM vs VIL Match Details
Date: Saturday, 5 October 2024 / Sunday, 6 October 2023
Time: 21:00 (BST), 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
RM vs VIL Match Preview
Nobody expected Real Madrid to end their 14-match unbeaten run in the Champions League abruptly against minnows Lille when they travelled to France for the midweek League Phase clash. Jonathan David's penalty on the edge of half-time condemned Los Blancos to a 1-0 defeat and the first loss in any competition since January having stayed unbeaten for 36 matches. The record winners plagued by injuries will be hugely disappointed not taking anything out of the game and have now gone two games without winning having also drawn with Atletico Madrid last weekend despite leading the game until stoppage time. However, Carlo Ancelotti's side has remained unbeaten in La Liga since September of last year and have no interest in giving up that record when Villarreal visits the Spanish capital this weekend. The clash will be pivotal as a win will take Real Madrid level on points with leaders Barcelona but another unwanted result will allow the rest to gain grounds in the title fight. The Italian will hope lightning does not strike twice as he urges his team to draw motivation from the 4-1 win in this meeting at home last year.
Villarreal made a steady response following the 5-1 humiliation by Barcelona in late September with back-to-back wins in the league including the 3-1 victory against Las Palmas in the midweek. That was the only defeat suffered by Marcelino's side as they claimed three more wins and registered two draws to climb up to third on the La Liga table, four points away from the top spot. They have also scored 17 goals which is the next-best scoring record in the league this season after leaders Barcelona. Not since 2015-16 have the Yellow Submarines managed a top-four finish, but the hopeful beginning of the new season is inspiring them to relish those dreams again. However, Villarreal will want to show their character against top sides and beating the rattled holders at their den would be exemplary. Even though the team lost 4-1 on their last visit to Madrid, it was their only setback in seven meetings with the Los Blancos. The team have also won two of the previous four meetings in this fixture including a 3-2 away victory, giving them enough confidence to pull off a trick.
Recent Form (all competitions)
RM: WWWDL
Recent Form (La Liga)
RM: WWWWD
VIL: DWLWW
RM vs VIL Team News
Real Madrid are boosted by Kylian Mbappe returning early from his thigh problem and will return to the starting XI for this clash although are feeling the agony of centre-back Eder Militao joining the treatment table in the last game with the same issue suffered by the Frenchman. Aurelien Tchouameni could fill in his position from midfield with Rodrygo also expected to start having missed out on the Champions League game with a slight issue picked up in the Madrid derby. Thibaut Courtois remains out with a hip injury meaning the Ukrainian Andriy Lunin will continue between the sticks. David Alaba, Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos are the other absentees.
Meanwhile, Villarreal also has a fair share of injury problems with the most prominent one being Ayoze Perez. The forward has been on fire since joining the club this summer with six goals in seven La Liga matches but will not be fit in time for this crucial clash. Willy Kambwala, Gerard Moreno, Juan Foyth, Alfonso Pedraza and Denis Suarez are all absent for the visitors.
RM vs VIL Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid
Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius
Villarreal
Conde; Kiko, Bailly, Costa, Cardona; Gueye, Parejo, Comesana; Pepe, Barry, Baena
Real Madrid vs Villarreal head-to-head
Played - 51
RM won - 28
Draws - 17
VIL won - 6
RM vs VIL Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Kylian Mbappe
Vice-captain Picks: Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo
Our top picks for the RM vs VIL Dream11 team are Kylian Mbappe with 5 goals and an assist and Vinicius Junior with 3 goals and 4 assists this season.
RM vs VIL Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Conde (Cr - 8, Pts - 169)
DEF: Carvajal (Cr - 8, Pts - 261), Rudiger (Cr - 8, Pts - 205), Cardona (Cr - 8, Pts - 202)
MID: Baena (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 186), Valverde (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 349), Bellingham (Cr - 8, Pts - 174), Comesana (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 149)
FW: Rodrygo (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 348), Mbappe (Cr - 9, Pts - 420), Vinicius (Cr - 9, Pts - 420)
Vice-captain: Vinicius Junior
Captain: Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid vs Villarreal Match Prediction
Real Madrid is coming to this fixture after a frustrating loss while Villarreal has picked up form at the right moment. Both sides will be desperate to avoid defeat but with Los Blancos’s attack getting the service of fit-again Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo, Los Blancos might get an edge in this battle. We expect a thrilling game and predict a 2-1 win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
