Prediction: Villarreal vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to extend their buffer at the top of the La Liga table this weekend, Real Madrid will make the trip to the Estadio de la Cerámica on Saturday afternoon when they meet Villarreal.

Villarreal

Starting with the hosts, while Villarreal might have opened the New Year in the midst of a sluggish run of form, the Yellow Submarine have managed to find a welcomed bounce. Heading into January’s brief winter break with a thumping 3-0 win against Mallorca on home soil, the reigning Europa League champions were last seen laying down a real marker. Putting on a stellar display as they made the trip to Champions League contenders Real Betis last weekend, Head Coach Unai Emery saw his side claim an eye-catching 2-0 win on the road. Finding a route back into the top-six and sat in pole position to clinch another European finish this year, El Submarino Amarillo have continued to shine at the Estadio de la Cerámica. It should be highlighted, Saturday’s hosts have collected 13 points from their last five La Liga home fixtures.

Team News

Villarreal have confirmed that both Francis Coquelin and Ruben Pena will miss out on Saturday afternoon.

Likewise, suffering with a calf injury, it appears that attacking talisman Gerard Moreno will also not feature at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, crashing out of the Copa del Rey at the hands of Athletic Bilbao earlier in the month, there is no doubt that Real Madrid would have been glad to find a La Liga boost last weekend. Eventually claiming a 1-0 win at home against Granada, Los Blancos find themselves cruising towards another domestic crown this season. Although many might have been surprised to see Carlo Ancelotti make his return to the Spanish capital last summer, the former Everton boss sees his side open this weekend’s fixtures holding a commanding six-point buffer over the chasing pack. Hoping to widen their advantage on Saturday afternoon and lay down their own marker on the road, Madrid should be boosted by an extended unbeaten run against the Yellow Submarine. While they might have had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate when the two sides last faced off at the Bernabéu back in September, Ancelotti’s side are unbeaten in their last eight meetings against Villarreal.

Team News

In a real boost for Real Madrid, both Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez have returned to training and should feature here.

However, the French duo of Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy will once again miss out this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at the Bernabéu back in September, Real Madrid and Villarreal played out a 0-0 stalemate.
• However, Los Blancos are unbeaten in each of their last eight meetings against the Yellow Submarine, a run that stems back to 2018.
• Villarreal have collected 13 points from their last five La Liga matchups at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
• Likewise, Real Madrid have collected 25 points on the road so far this season, the best away tally in the division.
• Each of the last five meetings between Saturday’s opponents in Villarreal have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While Real Madrid might be hoping to extend their buffer at the top of the La Liga table this weekend, Los Blancos will know that they face a tough task on the road here. Snatching a late victory at home against Granada last weekend, Saturday’s guests will also be boosted by an extended unbeaten run against the Yellow Submarine. However, despite holding a six-point buffer over the chasing pack, some in Villarreal’s camp could be smelling the chance to cause a real upset. Shocking many with a 2-0 win away at top-four contenders Real Betis, fans around the Estadio de la Cerámica have seen their side continue to impress on home soil. collecting 13 points from their last five La Liga home fixtures, we’re backing what could be a rugged affair this weekend.

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Unibet