Villarreal vs Real Madrid Predictions & Match Preview

Villarreal vs Real Madrid predictions

Villarreal vs Real Madrid predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Los Blancos travel to the Ceramica.

Date Saturday 7th January 2023
Kick-Off 16:15 (CET)
Stadium Ceramica
Competition LaLiga

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Preview


Villarreal stadium

Real Madrid travel to the Ceramica for one of the standout fixtures this weekend in Spain. Villarreal are hoping to build on a derby win over Valencia last weekend and will fancy their chances here with Los Blancos not totally convincing this term.

Despite a recent coaching appointment, Villarreal still headed into the World Cup break in uncertain fashion with pressure already building on coach Quique Setien. There was even speculation that he would be sacked before the resumption but the former Betis and Barcelona boss looks in a much stronger position now having watched his side defeat Valencia thanks to a strong 2nd Half comeback before hitting five goals after the break to progress in the Copa del Rey at Cartagena in midweek.

There are at least a few more signs that things are starting to click with this Villarreal side clearly taking some time to adapt to the methods of the new boss. The January transfer window may also help Setien’s reign take shape. It has started with news of a slightly surprising exit for first choice keeper Gerónimo Rulli who is off to Ajax leaving veteran Pepe Reina to compete with youngsters Filip Jorgensen and Iker Alvarez for the number one role.

It’s likely to be an altogether quieter month at the Santiago Bernabeu with Real Madrid’s business likely to be limited. However judging by their lacklustre display in the Copa del Rey in midweek, they could probably do with another option in the final third. Carlo Ancelotti rested a number of key players but wouldn’t have been too impressed as his side limped to a 1-0 win at minnows CP Cacereño with Rodrygo netting the winner.

Karim Benzema was among those left in Madrid, but he did prove the difference with a late brace to see off Real Valladolid last time out in LaLiga. It was a good result in what could have been a tricky game, made all the better by Barcelona’s inability to win the derby with Espanyol. This is going to be a challenging month for Madrid though with some tough league fixtures, as well as Supercopa and Copa del Rey matches to squeeze in, and they’ll need to play well to come away with three points here.


Team News & Possible Lineups


Villarreal

INJURED Lo Celso
DOUBTFUL
BANNED

Possible XI: Reina – Pedraza, Torres, Albiol, Foyth – Parejo, Capoue, Trigueros – Pino, Gerard Moreno, Chukwueze (4-3-3)

Coach: Quique Setien

Real Madrid

INJURED
DOUBTFUL Mariano, Carvajal, Odriozola
BANNED

Possible XI: Courtois – Mendy, Alaba, Militao, Carvajal – Kroos, Tchouameni, Modric – Vini, Benzema, Valverde (4-3-3)

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti


Score Prediction: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid


This could be a good one with Villarreal starting to show some signs of promise under Quique Setien after a really poor start to his reign. Real Madrid haven’t looked totally convincing in their recent league games and they may have to be content with a point here.


PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.

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