Villarreal vs Real Madrid: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Real Madrid travel to face Villarreal at the weekend with the current title holders hoping to potentially finish the season strongly.

Date: 19/05/2024

Location: Estadio de la Ceramica

Kick-Off: 6:00 PM

The champions can still potentially achieve a domestic and European double after reaching the UEFA Champions League final after a dramatic second-leg victory over Bayern Munich in midweek. Domestically, Real Madrid can still finish the season as potential centurions if they win their three remaining games this season. Real Madrid can’t drop points; otherwise, the centurion’s achievement cannot be achieved.

The hosts for this game Villarreal are also in the hunt for European qualification with three games to go. The home side are eighth after 35 games played this season and are only two points behind Real Sociedad in the race for seventh. Sociedad does have a game in hand, so Villarreal would require Barcelona to do them a favour.

The most recent league meeting between the two sides resulted in a 4-1 loss for the home side.

Villarreal Team News

Yeremy Pino and Denis Suarez are both ruled out for the home side with injuries. Villarreal has up to six suspension concerns with the likes of Francis Coquelin and Dani Parejo at risk.

Real Madrid Team News

David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni are both ruled out with injuries. Real Madrid has no suspension risks for this game.

The recent history between the two teams suggests that Villarreal has every chance of gaining a result against this season’s champions. The home side have won twice in their last five league meetings between the two sides, with Real Madrid winning once and drawing twice in those five.

This fixture provides an average of 3.07 goals scored between the two teams. In the last 20 meetings between the two sides, however, Real Madrid has the superior advantage. The visitors have won eight of the 20 games played, having drawn eight and lost four.

Real Madrid is chasing their first win in six league games away at Villarreal, although most recently they did beat their hosts in the Copa del Ray in 2023. Villarreal were leading the game by two clear goals until a late comeback from Madrid – with goals from Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao and Dani Ceballos completing the turnaround.

The visitors last won the league fixture away at Villarreal in 2017 coincidentally by a 3-2 score in which Los Blancos also came from two goals down again. Gareth Bale started the comeback trail in the 64th minute before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised ten minutes later. Alvaro Morata provided the winner for Real Madrid.

In the last ten meetings between the two teams, there has only been one dismissal. Gareth Bale was the unfortunate participant to be sent off for during that time in a 2-2 draw, in which he also scored a brace for the away side.

In the most recent league meeting at the Estadio de la Ceramica last season, Villarreal 2-1 winner in which all three goals came in 15 minutes. Yeremy Pino opened the scoring for the hosts just after half-time. Karim Benzema equalised from the penalty spot on the hour mark but conceded the winner three minutes later from Gerard Moreno.

The home side are in decent form heading into this game against the champions Real Madrid. Villarreal have won three out of their last five league games, drawing once and losing once in those five. This is subject to change as Villarreal has an away fixture against Girona before their game against Real Madrid. In their most recent home game, it was a successful one for Villarreal against Sevilla. The hosts for this game recorded a 3-2 win over Sevilla thanks to a late flurry of goals.

Youssef En-Nesryi had given the visitors a 2-1 lead at half-time to cancel out Alexander Sorloth’s goal for Villarreal. Yerson Mosquera equalised with six minutes left to play before a 97th-minute winner from Alexander Sorloth secured the three points for the home side.

The home side’s form at the Estadio de la Ceramica has been mixed his season, although in recent weeks there has been an improvement. Villarreal have played 18 games at home this season, won seven, drawn four and lost seven.

Villarreal have averaged 1.39 points per game this season at home whilst winning 39% of their games at home in general. For the home side, four of their seven wins at home this season have come in their last five home games in the league.

The home side have been consistent in front of goal with 1.78 goals scored per game at home this season and they’ve only failed to score in 11% of their home fixtures this season. The issue for Villarreal has been defensively as they’ve only kept a 17% clean sheet record this season.

For Villarreal to have any chance at the weekend, they would be hoping for Alexander Sorloth to be on form at the weekend. The Norwegian has 19 goals in the league this season and averages a goal contribution of 0.75 per 90 minutes played.

Real Madrid’s away form has been excellent this season and befitting of the champions. Los Blancos have played 18 games away from the Santiago Bernabeu this season having won 13, drawn four and losing only once. The only loss coincidentally was their only league defeat this season against Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid enters this game in brilliant form over the last five league games. Los Blancos have won five out of their last five league games in the league. This is subject to change as Real Madrid have a game against Deportivo Alaves before their trip to Villarreal.

Real Madrid have recorded a 2.57 points per game average on their travels this season and have won 72% of their away fixtures in general. Madrid has a tremendous record in scoring in every single away game in the league this season.

In their most recent away game, Madrid were 4-0 winners thanks to goals from Arda Guler, Fran Garcia and a brace from Brahim Diaz. Jude Bellingham will be key for Madrid to end their winless run away at Villarreal. The English midfielder is Madrid’s top scorer in the league with 18 goals this season and a goal contribution every 119 minutes.

We predict a 2-1 win for Real Madrid as they break their winless streak away at Villarreal.

Villarreal 1-2 Real Madrid

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