Prediction: Real Madrid vs Villarreal

Seeking an immediate response when they mark their return from September’s extended international break, Real Madrid will welcome Villarreal to the Bernabeu on Saturday night.

With the rest of Europe’s elite making their respective returns this weekend, there are plenty of eye-catching betting promotions available.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, last seen heading into September’s international break with a controversial 2-1 loss away at bitter local rivals Atletico Madrid, Los Blancos are searching for an immediate response here. While Jose Mourinho might have made a blockbuster return to the Bernabeu over the summer, they have an almighty job on their hands in the race to recapture their La Liga crown this season. Marking their return on Saturday already chasing a six-point deficit, Real Madrid are also searching for some essential defensive grit. Despite getting their Champions League adventure underway with a 2-1 victory at home against Italian heavyweights Inter Milan last month, Mourinho’s superstar squad have mustered just a sole clean sheet from any of their eight appearances across all competitions so far this season.

Shown a fiery straight red card in the Madrid derby prior to September’s international break, former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen will serve a domestic suspension this weekend and miss out. All still sidelined with respective injury issues, Los Blancos will once again be without the trio of Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Brazilian marksman Rodrygo.

Forced to withdraw from Zinadine Zidane’s maiden France squad over the past week due to a reported knee injury, Real Madrid are expected to be without attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe. Registering five direct goal contributions while away with England this month (one goal, four assists), Jude Bellingham could play a leading role in the final third.

Villarreal

As for the visitors, while Villarreal might have opened up proceedings in the midst of a public struggle, Inigo Perez’s men had managed to find their feet prior to September’s extended international break. Last seen heading into the interval with consecutive 3-1 victories against Levante and La Liga newcomers Malaga, the Yellow Submarine have their sights set on mounting another top-four charge this year. Springing an almighty upset last season as they secured a bronze medal finish among Spain’s elite, Villarreal will now be searching for their own respective defensive grit. Getting their Champions League charge underway with a rollercoaster 3-2 defeat against German giants Borussia Dortmund last month, Saturday’s guests have remarkably failed to muster a single clean sheet across any competition since way back on February 18th.

Returning to full training this week after returning from a minor ankle issue over the international break, former Rayo Vallecano midfielder Santi Comesana will return to Villarreal’s travelling squad here. Ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Spanish capital, the Yellow Submarine have reported a clean bill of health.

Making a permanent switch from Premier League giants Chelsea last year, Portuguese international Renato Veiga will start at the heart of Villarreal’s defence. Now in his second campaign in Castellon, American youngster Alex Freeman will start at right-back on Saturday night.

Real Madrid vs Villarreal Key Factors to Consider

• When Real Madrid and Villarreal last met for a La Liga showdown back on January 24th, Los Blancos claimed a 2-0 victory in Castellon.
• In fact, Mourinho’s side have won all of their previous four straight meetings against Saturday’s guests by an aggregate score of 9-2.
• Los Blancos have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their first eight competitive appearances across all competitions.
• Villarreal have remarkably failed to muster a single competitive clean sheet across all formats since way back on February 18th.
• Real Madrid have not tasted a single La Liga defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of March.

Heading into September’s International break with that fiery 2-1 loss in the Madrid derby, Los Blancos know the importance of claiming an immediate response on Saturday night. Marking their return this weekend already chasing a six-point deficit to defending La Liga champions and arch-rivals Barcelona, Mourinho’s men will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil here. Not suffering a single domestic defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of March, Real Madrid also hold a dominant recent record against the Yellow Submarine.

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