Real Madrid vs Villarreal

Estadio Santiao Bernabeu is the venue as Real Madrid and Villarreal go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking La Liga affair.

Real Madrid embodied the old saying ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’ by thumping arch-rivals Barcelona 4-0 in midweek Copa del Rey action to reach the grand final. But despite easing past Real Valladolid 6-0 at home last weekend, ‘Los Merengues’ are on the verge of surrendering the La Liga title to Barca, with 12 points separating the sides ahead of the final 11 rounds. Still, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be looking to hold up their end of the bargain and take three points against a Villarreal side they’ve lost to only once in their last 22 La Liga meetings in Madrid (W15, D6). Bernabeu has been a fortress over the past couple of years, with ‘Los Blancos’ suffering just a single defeat in their previous 42 top-flight outings on home turf (W29, D12).

Yet, after overcoming Osasuna and Real Sociedad by 2+ goals ‘to nil’ each, visiting Villarreal will ought to take down Madrid’s stronghold, a feat they last managed in 2018. Having picked up 13 points across the previous five La Liga rounds (W4, D1), ‘El Submarino Amarillo’ are back in contention for a coveted top-four finish, with fourth-placed Sociedad only four points away. Quique Setien’s men have also found their feet on the road, going from three straight La Liga travels without a win at the start of 2023 (D1, L2) to back-to-back triumphs without a replay. After a dramatic 2-1 home victory in the reverse fixture in January, Villarreal could beat Madrid in consecutive league games for the first time in 23 La Liga seasons!