Real Madrid vs Villarreal predictions, H2H and match preview for this Thursday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for analysis, free betting tips and predicted line-ups as Los Blancos aim to clinch the title.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Real Madrid vs Villarreal Preview
Real Madrid can clinch the 2019/20 LaLiga title if they beat Villarreal on Thursday night. Having won every game since the restart they will be confident they can do just that but this is a strong Villarreal side and one that has the quality to test a solid Los Blancos defence much more than most sides in this league.
That improvement at the back has been the main reason why Real Madrid look like they are on course to get the better of Barcelona and claim the title this term. Los Blancos have conceded just 22 goals with just 2 games to go, compared to the 46 goals which they let in last season in LaLiga. Should they keep clean sheets in their final 2 matches, it would actually rank as their best ever defensive league season, beating the 0.6 goals per game conceded during the 1964-65 season.
That is quite a turnaround given how bad they were at times last season and the relatively limited personnel changes, at least in terms of their regular starting XI. Villarreal though have the 3rd best goalscoring record in LaLiga and look capable of asking a few questions of this Madrid side. They need just a point to secure Europa League qualification but can no longer make the top four following a 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad last time out.
Villarreal should be able to name a much stronger starting XI here though with top scorer Gerard Moreno available again to lead the line while they are hopeful Paco Alcacer will recover from a minor injury to start alongside him. Marcelo is the only definite absentee for Los Blancos but it’s not a major blow with Ferland Mendy impressing and scoring his first goal at Granada last time out.
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Real Madrid vs Villarreal Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Real Madrid have been impressive in the way they’ve managed this run-in but their performances haven’t really been brilliant with the exception of a few periods in games. Villarreal are the strongest side they’ve had to face since the restart and they look far more capable of asking questions of this Madrid defence.
The Yellow Submarine have won all four away games since returning following the pause to the season and they have enough talent in their side to spring a surprise here and get a result which would put Real Madrid’s title celebrations on hold. Much will depend on their tactics though and they will need to be less naive than they were in their recent game with Barcelona when they allowed the Catalans far too much time and space.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal Betting Tips (18+)
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Real Madrid vs Villarreal H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 2 Real Madrid Wins, 1 Villarreal Win, 3 Draws.
- Both teams have scored twice or more in 5 of the last 6 meetings.
- The sides drew 2-2 at the Ceramica earlier this term.
- Villarreal have only lost on 1 of their last 3 visits to the Bernabeu, although that was last season (2-0).
Predicted Line Ups
Real Madrid Team:
Courtois – Mendy, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal – Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos – Modric – Benzema, Vinicius (4-3-1-2)
Villarreal Team:
Asenjo – Moreno, Torres, Albiol, Gaspar – Anguissa, Iborra – Gomez, Cazorla, Chukwueze – Moreno (4-2-3-1)
Read more: LaLiga Weekly Review – Matchdays 35 & 36
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