Real Madrid vs Villarreal Predictions

• Real Madrid have won all four La Liga home games this season with at least four goals in each of the last two
• At least four goals have been scored in two of Villarreal’s last three games, including a 5-1 loss to Barcelona
• Villarreal conceded four goals in both of their matches against Real Madrid last season

Another thriller on the cards in Madrid

Saturday’s La Liga clash between second-placed Real Madrid and third-placed Villarreal could be another thriller.

Memories are still fresh of the incredible 4-4 draw between these clubs at El Madrigal in the penultimate round of last season’s fixtures when the Yellow Submarines came back from 4-1 down at the break.

Los Merengues have won all four of their home league games this term, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men have just suffered their first competitive defeat since January. Wednesday’s 1-0 loss in Lille is unlikely to mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it could give the coach some food for thought on systems and players.

Ancelotti likely to revert to 4-3-3

The Italian coach will freshen up his line-up, potentially with the return of Kylian Mbappe to the starting XI, and may revert back to 4-3-3 after playing two strikers in his side’s last two away games. Eder Militao will undergo tests after being taken off in the 57th minute in Lille and could join Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz on the injury list.

Marcelino’s options are more limited, but the jovial Villarreal coach is committed to sending out teams that attack. Undeterred by his side conceding eight goals across the two clashes with the champions last season, his side will try to impose themselves at the Bernabeu.

At least four goals have been scored in two of Villarreal’s last three games, including a 5-1 loss to Barcelona, so that looks a likely outcome again, but Real Madrid should be able to maintain their 100% home record too.