Real Madrid vs Villarreal: League leaders prepare to welcome UEL champs on Sept 25

September 24, 2021 By Michelle Bonsu

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Real Madrid, Villarreal, La Liga

After a resounding 6-1 win in their midweek tie over Mallorca, league leaders Real Madrid will next turn their attention towards welcoming Villarreal on Saturday.

Preview: Real Madrid vs Villarreal

With 16 points from their first six games, it's safe to say that things are going pretty swimmingly for Real Madrid since Carlo Ancelotti returned to take over earlier this summer. Los Blancos are on a six game winning streak across all comps, including earning a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter in their Champions League group stage opener earlier this month. They presently have a two point gap over city rivals Atletico - the team who pipped them to the La Liga title last season - and now will be aiming to make it a seventh consecutive win as they welcome Villarreal on Saturday evening.

The Yellow Submarine, who notably won the Europa League last season under Unai Emery, are also unbeaten so far in La Liga. However, they're actually only won one of their first five games, while drawing four in a row. This sees them sitting in a very uninspiring 12th place, with their seven points putting them actually closer to the drop zone than near their upcoming opponents.

Real Madrid come into this game having crushed Mallorca 6-1 in their midweek tie, with Karim Benzema grabbing a brace, Marco Asensio netting a hattrick, and Isco concluding the rout with a goal of his own late in the second half. Next up for the Spanish giants will be a clash against Eastern European minnows Sheriff in the Champions League in a game that likely will see Ancelotti try to rotate his squad in order to keep everyone fighting fit for the team's multiple competitions this season.

Villarreal, meanwhile, did manage to end their winless streak by beating Elche 4-1 midweek. That marks their first actual victory of the 2021/22 La Liga season, after drawing their first four matches and will hope that could give them a much needed boost ahead of their trip to Madrid. Like their upcoming hosts, Villarreal are also involved on the European front, with their Europa League victory giving them a spot in the Champions League, and face a tricky test against Manchester United at Old Trafford in just a few days' time.

Team news: Real Madrid vs Villarreal

Real Madrid: Los Blancos are dealing with a whole slew of injuries at the moment, and will have to make do without key players such as Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos, and Marcelo, with the latter two in major doubt for this game. Additional absentees include Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, and Dani Ceballos.

Villarreal: Gerard Moreno, Dani Raba and Samuel Chukwueze all missed out on the match against Elche midweek and aren't expected to appear here. The trio could be also joined on the sidelines by Alfonso Pedraza, who was subbed off at half-time during the game against Elche.

Match facts: Real Madrid vs Villarreal

Four of the last seven clashes between Villarreal have finished as draws
However, the Yellow Submarine have won just one game in La Liga so far this season (D4)
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are unbeaten so far in the league and are on a six match winning streak across all comps