Verdict: Total goals under 3.5
Best odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Real Madrid will be aiming to get back to their winning form in La Liga as they face Villarreal in their second-to-last match of 2023, at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Los Blancos, currently sitting to surprise-of-the-season Girona in the La Liga standings, encountered a 1-1 draw against Real Betis in their previous league fixture. Meanwhile, Villarreal faced an even more damaging setback in their last league match, suffering a 3-0 defeat at home against Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have faced a string of injuries to key players recently. However, they’ve impressively managed to maintain strong performances, having suffered only one defeat this season, which occurred away against Atletico Madrid in late September.
Under Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance, the team comfortably secured a spot in the Champions League knockout round as Group C winners, achieving six wins out of six matches, including a 3-2 victory over Union Berlin in Germany earlier this week.
In their recent league outing, Real Madrid settled for a 1-1 draw against Real Betis, positioning them second in the table with 39 points, trailing two points behind Girona, who are currently having a remarkable season.
Having won 12 matches, drawn three, and lost one out of 16 league games this season, Real Madrid boasts the best defensive record in the Spanish top flight, conceding merely 10 goals. This achievement is notable, especially considering the absence of key figures like goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and center-back Eder Militao, who have been sidelined since August due to injury.
With matches against Villarreal and Alaves as their last fixtures of 2023, Real Madrid will aim to secure victories before potentially welcoming back key players from injury in January. Their return will likely bolster their squad significantly, positioning them well for a strong campaign in the second half of the season, both in La Liga and the Champions League.
Team News
Aurelien Tchouameni is poised to rejoin the squad following a swift recovery from a fractured foot. However, a set of players including Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Eder Militao, and Thibaut Courtois remain sidelined for the time being.
In response, adjustments are expected from the lineup that featured in the Champions League against Union Berlin. Notable returns to the starting eleven are expected for players like Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger, and Ferland Mendy.
Joselu, who secured a brace in the team’s previous match, is likely to retain his place in the lineup, while Lucas Vazquez is expected to continue in the right-back position, filling in for the absent Carvajal for now.
Villarreal
Villarreal have a positive record against Real Madrid in recent meetings, having won their last two La Liga encounters, notably securing a 3-2 victory at Bernabeu last season. However, their latest league outing resulted in a 3-0 defeat against Real Sociedad at home, pointing to their inconsistent league performance, leaving them in the 13th spot with 16 points from 16 matches.
Marcelino’s team faces a considerable challenge to secure a place in European competitions at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. They are currently 18 points behind fourth-placed Barcelona and sit 13 points adrift of the top six, indicating a tough road to secure European football through La Liga standings.
Despite their struggles in the domestic league, Villarreal have fared better in the Europa League, topping Group F with 13 points, securing their place in the last-16 stage after a 3-2 victory against Rennes on Thursday.
While Villarreal have been a consistent performer in La Liga in recent seasons, their current form suggests that they may need to win the Europa League this term to secure European football for the following season, unless there’s a significant turnaround in their league performances.
Team News
Santi Comesana, Aissa Mandi, Yeremi Pino, and Denis Suarez are among those set to miss this game.
In the attacking department, Alexander Sorloth is expected to maintain his starting position alongside Gerard Moreno, based on his recent inclusion in the starting lineup for the Europa League fixture. Additionally, there’s a possibility of Ilias Akhomach getting a starting role.
Marcelino may opt for the experience of Dani Parejo and Etienne Capoue in the midfield, while Adria Alti might feature at left-back, having been utilized in various positions in recent matches.
Conclusion
Real will likely get the win they need in this contest to strengthen their position in La Liga title race, but they probably won’t find it easy to get it, despite Villarreal’s recent inconsistencies. A low-scoring affair, with Los Blancos coming out on top, is likely to happen on Sunday.
Verdict: Total goals under 3.5
Best odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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