Real Madrid is gearing up for a pivotal clash against Villarreal in the upcoming La Liga match at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu this Sunday. Currently occupying the second spot on the points table, Los Blancos have a golden opportunity to ascend to the summit temporarily, pending the outcome of Girona’s match against Alaves on Monday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is determined to secure a victory, not only to intensify the pressure on the current table-toppers but also to establish a seven-point lead over their arch-rivals FC Barcelona, who settled for a draw against Valencia at Mastella on Saturday.
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Real Madrid Vs Villarreal
Villarreal, on the other hand, has faced a challenging season marred by injuries, leading to a lackluster start as they find themselves in the 14th position with 16 points from 16 matches.
In terms of expected lineups, Real Madrid is likely to field Kepa Arrizabalaga, Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz, Joselu, and Rodrygo. Villarreal’s predicted lineup includes Pepe Reina, Alfonso Pedraza, Raul Albiol, Jorge Cuenca, Sergi Altimira, Ilias Akhomach, Etienne Capoue, Dani Parejo, Alex Baena, Gerard Moreno, and Alexander Sorloth.
Despite Real Madrid’s impressive unbeaten streak in their last five matches, where they secured four wins and a draw, facing Villarreal poses its challenges. In their recent encounters with the Yellow Submarine, Madrid emerged victorious only once, suffered two defeats, and settled for a draw.
The absence of first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal adds an extra layer of concern for Madrid, especially on the right flank. Villarreal’s formidable combination of Baena and Pedraza could exploit this vulnerability and create difficulties for the home side.
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Following a draw against Real Betis in the previous week, a failure to secure a win in the upcoming match could compound problems for Real Madrid in their pursuit of the championship. Girona, currently in contention, could extend their lead by five points if they defeat Alaves on Monday, a scenario that seems plausible at the moment.