Villarreal vs Real Madrid Tips: Mbappe to lead Los Blancos to three points
Two of La Liga’s top three lock horns at Estadio de la Ceramica as Villarreal host Real Madrid, and the Yellow Submarine will be hoping to get back on form after a difficult week.
Los Blancos, who are a point adrift of top-spot holders Barcelona, put in a stunning midweek performance, and they will know that another three points would pile the pressure on their Catalan rivals ahead of their Sunday assignment.
Team news
Villarreal will be without at least four players for Real Madrid’s visit, with Ilias Akhomach, Willy Kambwala, Logan Costa and Pau Cabanes all injured.
Juan Foyth and Papa Gueye should return to the lineup, though, after missing their midweek defeat to Ajax through suspension.
For Real, Brahim Diaz should be back in action after his Africa Cup of Nations final involvement, but Alvaro Arbeloa continues to deal with a lengthy list of absentees, especially in defence.
Ferland Mendy, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Andrii Lunin, and Rodrygo are all sidelined, although Alvaro Carreras is available for selection after being suspended in midweek.
Tip 1 – Real Madrid to win & both teams to score @ 21/10
Villarreal were consigned to back-to-back defeats in midweek as they lost at home to Ajax in Europe, and Real Madrid could make it three on the spin in pursuit of the La Liga top spot.
Los Blancos demolished Monaco 6-1 in their midweek Champions League tie and have won their last three meetings with The Yellow Submarine, who head into this clash having lost at home to Ajax, Barcelona, and Copenhagen in their last four assignments.
The points look destined for Arbeloa’s side, but Villarreal have the attacking quality to score.
They have found the back of the net in six of their last seven home games, and both teams have scored in eight of Real Madrid’s last ten matches. Away from home Los Blancos are without a clean sheet since the start of December, so expect them to concede in victory at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Tip 2 – Kylian Mbappe to score, Arda Guler to assist, Kylian Mbappe over 1.5 shots on target & Georges Mikautadze over 0.5 shots on target @ 16/1
Kylian Mbappe put former club Monaco to the sword in midweek, scoring a brace to take his tally to an incredible 37 goals for club and country this season, and once again he looks the most likely to find the net in Villarreal.
The France captain has scored three goals in his last two meetings with Saturday’s hosts and heads into this game having scored 14 times in his last nine starts for the club, failing to find the net in just one of those ties.
The 27-year-old has had 26 shots in this nine-game run, testing the opposition goalkeeper twice or more in seven of them, so he’s expected to have a few attempts on Saturday.
Arda Guler could turn provider for one of Real Madrid’s goals, too. The Turkey international was afforded a start in midweek after an excellent run of form off the bench, and his assist against Monaco was his 14th for club and country this season.
He has registered an assist in four of his last six appearances, just two of which were starts, and could add to his tally here.
For Villarreal, Georges Mikautadze will be one of their main attacking outlets. He has scored seven times for the club this season and has had a shot on target in each of his last four starts, totalling seven shots on target in this period.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
