Villarreal vs Real Madrid predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Los Blancos aim to avoid back-to-back league defeats.
- DATE: Saturday 21st November 2020
- KICK-OFF: 16:15 (local time)
- VENUE: Estadio Ceramica
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Villarreal vs Real Madrid Preview
There’s another really tough away test in the Valencian Community for Real Madrid this weekend, a fortnight after they were humbled in a bizarre game at Mestalla. Villarreal are two points ahead of Los Blancos and are looking to make a statement by claiming a victory that would at least push them into the conversation of potential title challengers.
Neutrals at least, are optimistic that this may be the most open LaLiga title race in years. While it would still be a massive shock if the league champions ultimately came from outside the established “big three”, the likes of Villarreal and Real Sociedad are at least suggesting that they won’t have it all their own way this year.
The Yellow Submarine have made a strong start to life under Unai Emery, particularly at the Estadio Ceramica. They are averaging 2.6 points per game on home soil although they’ve had a relatively kind set of opening home fixtures. They put in a really impressive showing last time out, winning 3-1 away to Getafe to claim 2nd spot heading into the international break.
Meanwhile, just when it looked as though the pressure had eased on Zinedine Zidane, a 4-1 defeat at Valencia last time out for his Real Madrid side has left the Frenchman with plenty of food for thought over the past two weeks. It was something of a freak match with Valencia winning and converting three penalties.
Los Blancos had been pretty strong on the road prior to that season, taking 10 points from their first 4 away league games including a clasico victory at Camp Nou. They should at least be able to welcome Casemiro back into the fold this weekend which invariably makes a big difference and it’s unlikely either Marcelo or Isco, both of whom were heavily criticised in Valencia, will keep their places.
Check out our match previews for every game in LaLiga this weekend here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 1 Villarreal Win, 2 Real Madrid Wins, 3 Draws.
- All of the last 5 meetings have seen both teams score with Los Blancos unbeaten in that period.
- The last 3 meetings at the Ceramica have all ended 2-2.
- Real Madrid’s last win here was via a 3-2 margin in 2017.
Team News
Villarreal have no major absentees here with Unai Emery having a few selection dilemmas such as whether to start in-form Alfonso Pedraza or fit again Pervis Estupinan at left-back.
Sergio Ramos picked up an injury on international duty and is out. Fede Valverde and Eden Hazard are also sidelined.
Predicted Villarreal Starting Lineup:
Asenjo – Pedraza, Albiol, Torres, Mario – Trigueros, Iborra, Parejo – Gomez, Alcacer, Moreno (4-3-3)
Predicted Real Madrid Starting Lineup:
Courtois – Mendy, Varane, Nacho, Carvajal – Modric, Casemiro, Kroos – Vinicius, Benzema, Asensio (4-3-3)
Villarreal vs Real Madrid Predictions
Score Prediction: Villarreal 2-1 Real Madrid
This could be a really difficult game for Madrid and on paper it is certainly tougher than the Valencia one a fortnight ago. Casemiro’s return ought to sure things up a bit but this is a free-scoring Villarreal side with Gerard Moreno and Paco Alcacer linking up well up top and we might just see the champions fall to successive away defeats here.
LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)
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