Real Madrid vs Villarreal Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | LaLiga 2025-26

Los Blancos will take on the Yellow Submarines on matchday 8 of LaLiga.

Los Blancos will look to bounce back from a heavy derby defeat, which they suffered in the last LaLiga match. They did next win their Champions League fixture against Kairat by 5-0 and will be confident going into the match against Villarreal. Last season, they beat Villarreal in both league matches, and they will hope to do the same this time as well.

Real Madrid got exposed brutally against Atletico Madrid, as they lost by 5-2. It was after many years that they conceded five goals against Atleti. Although it was just their first loss of the season, the media and fans are criticising the team, which is doing quite well.

In seven games, they won six matches and lost once. With 18 points on the table, they are second in the league, just a point below their rival FC Barcelona.

Villarreal started their season quite well, especially in LaLiga. In seven matches so far in the league, they have won five matches, lost once and drawn once. With 16 points on the table, they are sitting in third spot in the league.

The Yellow Submarines’ last league defeat also came against Atletico Madrid. Quality-wise, there is a bit difference, but still they are very much capable of getting a point away from home here. This will be a mouthwatering clash for sure.

Kick-Off:

• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
• Date: Sunday, 5 October
• Kick-Off Time: 12:30 AM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In Use

Form

Real Madrid (in all competitions): W-L-W-W-W

Villareal (in all competitions): W-W-W-L-L

Players to Watch

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

The Frenchman is in fine form and is scoring in every match. He won the Golden Boot last season, and this season he is looking very determined to win it again. Even though most of his goals have been penalties till now, it is still very impressive that he is consistently performing well.

Mbappe is by far the best-performing player for Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid this season. In nine matches this season, he has scored 13 goals and provided one assist.

Georges Mikautadze (Villareal)

He is a right-footed centre forward who can finish well with either foot and is a proper poacher inside the box. Mikautadze possesses a very powerful strike and always aims for the corners. Due to his clever movements inside the box, he is able to beat defenders who are much bigger and stronger than him.

He can very well change the tempo of his movements to beat players and is also a decent dribbler. In five matches this season, he has scored once and provided one assist.

Match Facts

• Last season, Madrid won both matches quite comfortably against Villarreal.
• In the last five meetings between these two sides, Madrid won three, Villarreal won once, and one match ended in a draw.
• A lot of late goals have been scored in this fixture in the past.

Real Madrid vs Villarreal: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1 – Real Madrid to win this fixture – 2/5 by bet365
• Tip 2 – Both teams to score
• Tip 3 – Goals scored over 1.5

Injury and Team News

Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal is set to miss around a month of action after sustaining a calf injury. Eder Militao might be available in the squad after he missed the Champions League match due to injury. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy are all injured and won’t feature against Villarreal.

Logan Costa and Pau Cabanes are both out due to a Cruciate Ligament Tear and will miss most of the action of this season. The rest of the squad is fit to play for Villarreal.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 43

Real Madrid: 22

Villareal: 6

Draws: 15

Predicted Lineups

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Courtois (GK); Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni; Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius; Mbappe

Villareal Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):

Junior (GK); Mourino, Marin, Veiga, Cardona; Akhomach, Partey, Gueye, Solomon; Pepe, Mikautadze

Match Prediction

Despite the heavy defeat in their last LaLiga match, Madrid won’t be very much worried as they are a quality side and are clear favourites to win this fixture. On the other hand, Villareal will hope to get at least a point from this fixture. Most probably, the home team will win this fixture and will take all three points.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Villareal

Telecast Details

India: FanCode

UK: Premier Sports

USA: ESPN+

Nigeria: SuperSport

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