Real Madrid have been extremely adventurous and effective in attack, netting 18 goals since falling 2-1 to Atletico at the Bernabeu two weeks ago. However, the Yellow Submarine will be keen to truly test the visitors’ backline. No team in the top half of La Liga’s table has conceded more goals than Los Blancos (9).
They will miss Pepe in defence. The Portuguese player injured his thigh against FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League and will not return to first-team action until next week. So will the hosts add more to their seven-goal tally in total after five matches?
Temporarily, the Merengues could reduce the four-point gap against joint leaders Valencia and Barcelona to a single one. Villarreal could also overtake fifth-placed Real Madrid and temporarily join Atletico Madrid on 11 points in the Top Four.
The Yellow Submarine come into today’s league match having grabbed a point away to Eibar in midweek. The Galacticos, however, are flying higher thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s devastating form. And if United Reel really manage to fly their ‘Come Home Ronaldo’ banner at half-time as promised, expect the English and Spanish press to be all over the clash at El Madrigal.
Real Madrid and Villarreal's position in La Liga ahead of the big clash
| POS. | TEAM | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | D | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Valencia | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 2 | +11 | 13 |
| 2 |  |
Barcelona | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | +11 | 13 |
| 3 | Sevilla | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 13 | |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 11 | |
| 5 | |
Real Madrid | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 9 | +9 | 9 |
| 6 | Celta de Vigo | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 9 | |
| 7 | |
Villarreal | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 8 |
Villarreal vs Real Madrid team sheets
Villarreal’s first XI: Asenjo, Mario, Musacchio, V.Ruiz, Gabriel; Bruno, Trigueros, Cani, Moi Gomez; Vietto y Uche
Real Madrid’s first XI: Casillas, Varane, Ramos, Ronaldo, Kroos, Benzema, James, Bale, Marcelo, Carvajal, Modric
Real Madrid’s bench: Navas, Chicharito, Arbeloa, Nacho, Isco, Illarra, Aguza
If you want to know where to watch the Spanish Primera Division throughout the season, check out La Liga 2014-15 Broadcast guide.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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