Carlo Ancelotti will be tasked with getting Real Madrid’s season back on track this week after failing to win in their last two.
A stern reminder was issues to Real in midweek, as they slipped to a shock 1-0 loss at Lille in the Champions League. But, their record unbeaten run in La Liga remains in tact.
Villarreal have emerged as an early contender for a Champions League finish in Spain’s top division this season after winning five of their opening eight matches. But, could they upset the odds at the Bernabeu on Saturday?
Odds: Real Heavily Favored to Bounce Back
Market confidence speaks volumes for Real Madrid this weekend, as they are a clear odds-on chance to bounce back to form. Villarreal will largely be overlooked at a massive price in La Liga.
| Match Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid | -385 |
| Draw | +580 |
| Villarreal | +965 |
Head-to-Head Record Offers Visitors Hope
| Total | Real Madrid | Villarreal | Draws | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 41 | 19 | 6 | 16 |
| La Liga Games | 40 | 18 | 6 | 16 |
| Goals | 133 | 82 | 51 |
While Real have a clear advantage in historical meetings, the clashes across the last three seasons do offer Villarreal hope.
The visitors have suffered just one defeat in their last six league matches against Los Blancos. But, that defeat was suffered in this exact fixture last term.
🚨⚽ TIP: An average of six goals per game have been scored in this fixture across the last three. (Over 3.5 Goals @ -102)
Real Madrid Team News
Kylian Mbappe made his return from injury for Real Madrid in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat at Lille.
However, Ancelotti will still need to make changes to his previous La Liga lineup, with Thibaut Courtois set for another stint on the sidelines. David Alaba is back in training, but is unlikely to be risked this weekend.
Possible Lineup
Andriy Lunin (GK); Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
Key Stat
Real Madrid have scored at least four times in their last two matches against Villareal, but have won just once in the last six encounters with their rivals.
Villarreal Team News
Summer signing Willy Kambwala will be missing due to a muscle injury this weekend. He is the latest defender to be ruled out until after the international break, with Juan Foyth also a doubt for this weekend.
Gerard Moreno and Alfonso Pedraza are unlikely to feature this weekend.
Possible Lineup
Diego Conde (GK); Kiko Femenia, Eric Bailly, Logan Costa, Sergi Cardona, Ilias Akhomach, Dani Parejo, Pape Gueye, Denis Suarez, Nicolas Pepe, Thierno Barry
Key Stat
Villarreal have avoided defeat in each of their last six away from home, despite conceding goals in their last five.
Real Madrid vs. Villarreal Prediction
Real’s 40-match unbeaten record was under threat in the Madrid derby last weekend, but they showed their character to cling on to a point against Atletico.
Despite enduring recent struggles against this weekend’s rivals, we fully expect Los Blancos to bounce back from their midweek setback in France.
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