The club from “Ceramics” under the leadership of Marcelino finished fifth last season. This allowed them to return to the Champions League, but there they suffered a clear failure. In the last round, against another struggling participant, Ajax, they opened the scoring but eventually lost 1-2 without much fight. In mid-December, they also lost in the cup to modest Racing. However, in La Liga, they still have every chance to compete for third place. The setback against Betis in the previous round was especially painful.
The capital giant did not win a single trophy in 2025. Not surprisingly, during the winter, when their form declined and they lost the lead in La Liga, the new coach, Xabi Alonso, was on the verge of being sacked. However, after the break, they thrashed Betis 5-1. In the Super Cup, after overcoming Atletico, they lost 2-3 to Barcelona — and the coach was dismissed. His successor, Arbeloa, made his debut by losing to Albacete in the cup! Only in the last round against Levante did they secure a 2-0 win. And in the Champions League against Monaco, they delivered a spectacular rout.
Marcelino’s team currently scores an average of 1.95 goals per game while conceding half as many — one per match. Their opponents from Madrid have similar stats: 2.15 goals scored and 0.85 conceded per game.
Villarreal have won two of their last four matches
47% of Villarreal’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per game is 2.95
Real Madrid have won two out of their last four games
50% of Real Madrid’s matches finish with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per game is 3.0.
Villarreal (probable lineup): Junior – Pedraza, Marin, Navarro, Mourinho – Moleiro, Parejo, Comesaña, Pepe – Mikautadze, Ayoze Perez
Real Madrid (probable lineup): Courtois – Alvaro Carreras, Rüdiger, Asensio, Valverde – Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo – Mbappe.
