Real Madrid continues to trail Barcelona on the La Liga table, but now it is just goals that separates them and they will not want to drop points and make that change for any reason.
Los Blancos have dominated the Spanish top flight in recent seasons and would be keen to retain the crown they won last term, which means they must win this game.
Villarreal hasn’t done badly since Unai Emery left them to become the boss of Aston Villa in England and they will be keen to ensure they can continue their recent fine run of form in this fixture.
They have won their last three competitive games and all of their last five, including beating Valencia in their last league game, but they know Madrid is a tougher opponent to face, which will mean they need more effort to win this fixture.
Villarreal do not have a good record in this fixture and has won none of their last five, losing two of them as they look to become one of the top clubs in the league. But they always give Madrid a hard time and we expect this game to end in an away win or draw.
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