Villarreal vs Real Madrid Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

This is a massive game for Real Madrid’s title aspirations, coming so soon after their defeat at Valencia in midweek. They’ll be desperate to bounce back with 3 points but Villarreal are a tough side to beat and the Yellow Submarine look capable of getting a result.

The general consensus seems to be that Villarreal haven’t been in great form but it’s still only 3 defeats in 17 games and they’ve picked up 1-0 wins on the road this week against tough opponents, in the shape of Real Sociedad and Roma. Crucially they’ve looked to be back to their best defensively in those games. They boast the best defensive record in La Liga with only 0.65 goals per game conceded. They’ve managed to keep a clean sheet in 48% of their league games so Real Madrid are going to have to work really hard to force openings here.

Villarreal are always tough to beat at the Estadio de la Cerámica, as it is now known, and tend to raise their game when the top sides visit. They’ve already beaten Atleti and held Barcelona and Sevilla at home this term. Indeed their overall record against the top teams in La Liga is very good this season. They are currently in 6th place but are yet to lose any of their 7 games against the sides above them.

Given that, this is hardly the game Real Madrid would have wanted so soon after their midweek setback up the road at the Mestalla. By the time this kicks off, Atletico Madrid’s game with Barcelona will have finished so it’s huge day in the title race. Should the Catalans avoid defeat in that game, they’ll return to the top and that would ramp up a bit of pressure on Real Madrid.

There are still some doubts about whether they’re going to be able to stay strong for the remainder of the campaign, having won La Liga just once in the last 8 years. Already there are signs of cracks, particularly away from home. Real have won just 1 of their last 6 away games in domestic competitions and that was against bottom club Osasuna.

Even on top form, a trip to Villarreal would be a game they could potentially slip up in and they have tended to drop points in their recent clashes against them, both home and away. On current form they are looking too vulnerable to justify their status as 4/6 favourites here and backing Double Chance – Villarreal or Draw at 5/4 looks to offer value.