The third- and second-placed teams in LALIGA EA Sports go head-to-head this Saturday in Vila-real (9pm CET)
A new top-class clash awaits Villarreal. The Yellows host Real Madrid this Saturday at 9pm CET at the Estadio de la Cerámica. A truly high-profile encounter between the third- and second-placed sides in LALIGA EA Sports.
The Yellows go into the match after losing to Real Betis at La Cartuja (2-0) and also falling in the Champions League against Ajax (1-2) at the Groguet’s home. Both defeats were harsh on Marcelino’s side, who competed well against strong opposition.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, arrive after defeating Levante UD (2-0) in last weekend’s league match at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and beating Monaco (6-1) in the Champions League. Earlier on, the capital-based outfit were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Albacete BP (3-2) in Álvaro Arbeloa’s first match as Real Madrid head coach. With Xabi Alonso still in charge, the Madrid side also lost the Spanish Super Cup final to their eternal rivals, FC Barcelona (3-2).
Solidity and efficiency, the keys to beating Real Madrid
After two narrow defeats against Betis and Ajax, Villarreal will look to tighten up at the back and find greater accuracy than in their last two matches, in which the Yellow Submarine produced strong attacking performances but lacked finishing in front of goal. It will be far from easy, especially when facing Real Madrid, one of the best teams on the planet.
Mbappé, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham threaten a Villarreal side that also enjoys playing vertically and finds its best version through quick transitions.
Key absences for the Yellow Submarine
Following the match against Real Betis, Marcelino will be without Santi Comesaña, who was sent off at La Cartuja, and Santiago Mouriño, who picked up his fifth yellow card and will serve a suspension.
On the incoming side, Pape Gueye will rejoin the groguet squad after being crowned Africa Cup of Nations champion with Senegal. The yellow midfielder decided the final against hosts Morocco (0-1) with a superb strike from the edge of the box.
Evenly balanced recent meetings between the Yellows and Los Blancos at La Cerámica
Real Madrid won the most recent encounter between the two sides at the groguet home. Los Blancos took all three points last season (1-2) in a match where Marcelino’s team took the lead through Foyth, but the visitors turned the game around with a brace from Mbappé.
In the 23/24 season, Villarreal and Real Madrid drew 4-4 in one of the standout matches of that season. Four goals from Sørloth rescued a point for the Yellow Submarine in a game where Los Blancos had gone 1-4 ahead.
The groguets’ last win dates back to the 22/23 season, when Villarreal, then coached by Setién, beat Ancelotti’s side 2-1 thanks to goals from Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno.
