REAL MADRID travel to Villarreal for a La Liga fixture on Sunday with both teams in good form at the moment. This fixture often produces goals and given the attacking quality on display, another open encounter could be on the cards.
Sitting six points off the top six with two matches left to play, Villarreal still have a mathematical chance of securing a European finish. They must win their final two fixtures and close down sixth placed Real Sociedad’s goal difference of +12.
Villarreal have been in good form lately, winning four of their last five matches, including a 1-0 victory over Girona last time out. Goals have not been a problem for Marcelino’s men, who have scored at least twice in four of their last five matches, while also keeping just two clean sheets in their last seven fixtures.
Real Madrid are showing no signs of slowing down despite already securing the La Liga title. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have won their last four matches as they look to maintain their competitive edge ahead of the Champions League final.
Los Blancos have shown plenty of attacking verve in recent weeks, spreading their goals across the team. That attacking quality has been particularly evident in their last two matches as they claimed a 4-0 victory at Granada before running out 5-0 winners over Alaves.
How the bookies view it: Villarreal considered no match
Real Madrid have been installed as favourites among the bookies and are priced at evens with bet365 to claim the win. A victory for Villarreal is priced at 23/10 while a draw is set at odds of 11/4.
Recent head to head: Villarreal holding their own
Villarreal and Real Madrid have claimed two wins each and two draws from the last six meetings. However, Los Blancos ran out 4-1 winners in the reverse fixture back in December.
Players to watch: Sorloth worth a look
Alexander Sorloth is the leading scorer for Villarreal with 19 La Liga goals and will be the one to watch on Sunday. The striker has also found the net 10 times in the last 10 La Liga matches and is priced at 7/4 by bet365 to maintain his scoring run.
Arda Guler has impressed in recent weeks, scoring in three of the last four matches. The young attacker could be worth keeping an eye on and is priced at 13/5 by bet365 to find the net on Sunday.
Probable line-ups
Villarreal still have plenty of Injury problems while Kiko Femenia and Alex Baena are suspended for Sunday’s clash. They are likely to stick with much of the team that beat Girona last time out.
Real Madrid have been rotating their squad lately in order to keep the players fresh for the Champions League final. The likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior could drop out while Joselu and Arda Guler are in line to feature.
Villarreal: Jorgensen, Adria Alti, Bailly, Mosquera, Cuenca, Traore, Comesana, Parejo, Akhomach, Sorloth, Morales
Real Madrid: Courtois, Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy, Valverde, Modric, Ceballos, Diaz, Guler, Joselu
Anything else catch the eye?
Villarreal and Real Madrid have seen over 3.5 goals in their last three meetings and a similar outcome is priced at 11/10 with bet365. All three fixtures have produced more goals after the break and a similar pattern is priced at 10/11 with bet365.
Both teams have scored in the second half in the last two meetings and a repeat is priced at 11/8 with bet365.
This La Liga match between Villarreal and Real Madrid will be played on May 19, 2024 and kick off at 18:00. Check below for our tipsters best Villarreal vs Real Madrid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
