Actual Madrid can be out to make amends from that painful 5–2 thrashing towards Atlético Madrid after they host Villarreal on the Santiago Bernabéu on October 4, 2025, a fixture that would form the early title race. The defeat to their metropolis rivals knocked them off the highest of La Liga, now occupied by Barcelona, and has turned up the warmth on Xabi Alonso’s males to reply huge in entrance of their residence crowd.
Presently second with 18 factors from seven video games, Madrid welcome a Villarreal aspect simply behind on 16 factors, stuffed with confidence after a 2–2 Champions League draw with Juventus. The Yellow Submarine have been quietly wonderful, exhibiting improved construction below Marcelino, and will fancy their probabilities towards a barely wounded Actual aspect.
Regardless of their superior report — six wins from the final eight league conferences — Madrid know Villarreal are not any pushovers. Their final journey to the Bernabéu led to a slim 2–1 loss again in March, and with each groups scoring freely this season, one other tight affair feels doubtless.
Crew Information
Madrid are sweating over Dani Carvajal, who’s set to overlook round a month with a calf problem, whereas Éder Militão solely simply returned to full coaching and will not be risked.
That may see Aurélien Tchouaméni once more drop into central defence, a transfer that’s labored in components however nonetheless seems to be a bit makeshift, which could immediate Xabi Alonso to throw the Brazilian straight again in. Arda Güler, who’s been flying recently with assists in three straight video games and a derby purpose, ought to preserve his place on the precise.
Madrid uploaded a preparatory video on the group’s official X account, indicating the capital-based membership’s readiness to combat for all three factors.
Watch the video beneath:
For Villarreal, Juan Foyth remains to be out, and there is perhaps some adjustments after their midweek European conflict. Luiz Junior is tipped to begin in purpose, whereas Thomas Partey might step again into midfield for extra management. Alberto Moleiro and Nicolas Pépé ought to proceed to supply the spark up entrance, with Georges Mikautadze as the principle striker.
Potential Lineups
Actual Madrid (4–3–3):
Courtois; Militao, Huijsen, Tchouameni; Valverde, Guler, Camavinga, Carreras; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe
Villarreal (4–2–3–1):
Junior; Mourino, Veiga, Marin, S Cardona; Akhomach, Partey, Gueye, Moleiro; Mikautadze, Pepe
Madrid head into this one unbeaten of their final 4 conferences with Villarreal (three wins and a draw), and so they’ve gained 5 of the final seven encounters on the Bernabéu. They’ve been in wild scoring type too — each one among their final three video games has seen at the very least 5 objectives fly in. That attacking aptitude is nice information for neutrals, although Xabi Alonso is perhaps involved about how simply his defence may be opened up.
Nonetheless, there’s a sure edge about this Madrid group. They not often share factors lately; none of their final 21 La Liga matches have ended degree, which tells you they both go for broke or get burnt. Villarreal, although, are available red-hot, with three straight league wins, all by a single-goal margin. Their away type hasn’t been hermetic, although, holding only one clear sheet in 9 on the highway, and that would hang-out them towards Madrid’s firepower.
Arda Güler has quietly grow to be one among Madrid’s brightest sparks, grabbing an help in three consecutive video games and netting within the derby. Curiously, all six of his aggressive objectives up to now have come earlier than half-time; perhaps he prefers the early drama. For Villarreal, Georges Mikautadze has been pivotal recently, bagging an help of their final away journey and scoring towards Juventus midweek. In the meantime, Nicolas Pépé’s directness retains inflicting issues for defences, giving Villarreal some chunk on the counter.
This looks like a type of video games the place Madrid’s pleasure would possibly simply push them over the road. Villarreal have been compact and organised, however their backline hasn’t confronted an assault this sharp shortly. Count on moments the place Villarreal threaten on the break, but Mbappé’s and Vinicius’s particular person high quality might make all of the distinction below the Bernabéu lights.
Prediction: Actual Madrid 2–1 Villarreal
Actual Madrid are anticipated to take all three factors, however don’t be shocked if it takes one other late second of magic to do it.
