Real Madrid and Villarreal are set to lock horns in their 17th match of La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday with the home side having their eyes on the top spot.
Madrid currently sit second on the points table and a win over the Yellow Submarine could take them on top temporarily, unless Girona lose to Alaves on Monday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s troops would do everything to win as not only would that help to create extra pressure on the table-toppers, but it would also assist them in going seven points ahead of arch-rivals FC Barcelona, who drew to Valencia at Mastella on Saturday.
On the other hand, Villarreal had to encounter injuries throughout the seasons due to which they were off to a very poor start to the 2023/24 season as they sit 14th with 16 points from as many matches.
Predicted lineups:
Real Madrid: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos; Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz; Joselu, Rodrygo.
Villarreal: Pepe Reina; Alfonso Pedraza, Raul Albiol, Jorge Cuenca, Sergi Altimira; Ilias Akhomach, Etienne Capoue, Dani Parejo, Alex Baena; Gerard Moreno, Alexander Sorloth.
While Madrid are unbeaten in their last five matches with four wins and a draw, things may still not be easy for them as during their previous five encounters with the Yellow Submarine, they only emerged winners once, lost twice, and drew the game once.
Madrid would need to be extra careful on their right flank as they are without their first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal and Villarreal’s combination of Baena and Pedraza would make things difficult for them.
Los Blancos drew to Real Betis last week and a loss or draw tonight can create further problems during their pursuit of the championship as Girona would go five points ahead if they beat Alaves on Monday, which seems likely at the moment.
