Real Madrid Clash with Villarreal: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups and What to Expect
Runner-up Real Madrid face off against third-positioned Villarreal in what looks set to be an unmissable La Liga encounter right before the October international window.
What began as a flawless campaign for Real Madrid was swiftly disrupted last weekend at the Metropolitano. Atlético Madrid claimed a commanding 5–2 triumph over their crosstown enemies, delivering Xabi Alonso's squad their initial loss in 2025–26.
Los Blancos responded three days afterward with a 5–0 triumph over Kairat in the Champions League, but they encounter a significantly greater challenge in Villarreal on Saturday night. The Yellow Submarine are positioned merely two points behind Real Madrid in the La Liga table, having secured five victories from their first seven league fixtures.
Recent encounters between these two sides favor Real Madrid; Villarreal have earned three points against the Spanish powerhouse only twice across their previous 16 confrontations. The showdown scheduled to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu, however, is anticipated to be a much tighter contest.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the La Liga fixture.
What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Villarreal Kick-Off?
Real Madrid vs. Villarreal Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Real Madrid | Villarreal |
|---|---|
Kairat 0–5 Real Madrid - 30/9/25 | Villarreal 2–2 Juventus - 1/10/25 |
Atlético Madrid 5–2 Real Madrid - 27/9/25 | Villarreal 1–0 Athletic Bilbao - 27/9/25 |
Levante 1–4 Real Madrid - 23/9/25 | Sevilla 1–2 Villarreal - 23/9/25 |
Real Madrid 2–0 Espanyol - 20/9/25 | Villarreal 2–1 Osasuna - 20/9/25 |
Real Madrid 2–1 Marseille - 16/9/25 | Tottenham 1–0 Villarreal - 16/9/25 |
How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Villarreal on TV
Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, FuboTV |
United Kingdom | Disney+ |
Canada | TSN+, Prime Video |
Mexico | Sky+, Sky Sports Mexico |
Real Madrid Team News
Éder Militão was substituted at the interval of the Madrid derby last weekend, apparently sustaining an ankle problem. The Brazilian defender was absent from Real Madrid's journey to Asia for their Champions League encounter with Kairat, but he has now returned to availability against Villarreal.
The central defender's comeback represents a huge lift for Los Blancos, who remain without the sidelined Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy. Alonso will probably need to continue relying on Raúl Asencio at right back until following the October international window.
Additionally, the new Real Madrid manager will possibly test different formations to gain better understanding of how to deploy both Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler in a manner that will serve both players and the squad.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Villarreal
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Villarreal (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Asencio, Militão, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Güler; Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior.
Villarreal Team News
Villarreal's casualty list is nearly twice as long as Real Madrid's. Marcelino will be forced to do without Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala, Juan Foyth and Pau Cabanes, who are all still recovering in the treatment room.
Ayoze Pérez and Gerard Moreno continue to be significant question marks; both players were working separately from the squad prior to the Yellow Submarine's meeting with Real Madrid.
Anticipate Marcelino to implement some alterations to his starting eleven following Villarreal's 2–2 stalemate with Juventus on Wednesday. Dani Parejo might be replaced by Thomas Partey returning to the midfield while Sergi Cardona could take Alfonso Pedraza's place on the left wing.
Villarreal Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid
Villarreal predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-4-2): Júnior; Mouriño, Veiga, Marín, S. Cardona; Akhomach, Partey, Gueye, Moleiro; Mikautadze, Pépé.
Real Madrid vs. Villarreal Score Prediction
Everything indicates a tight match between two of the leading clubs in La Liga. Villarreal possess the attacking threat required to exploit Real Madrid's depleted defensive line, but Real Madrid also feature one of the most prolific forwards in world football spearheading their attack.
It's difficult to bet against Mbappé, and even more challenging to oppose a Real Madrid team with a point to prove before their home supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu.