Villarreal vs Real Madrid - La Liga: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction
By Tom Gott
After seeing off Cacareno in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid's attention turns back to La Liga when they travel to Villarreal on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti's men are second in the league as it stands, tied on points with leaders Barcelona but trailing on goal difference.
Adding to their number of goals scored would be nice but Real's priority will be simply securing three points against a tricky Villarreal side who find themselves in seventh, just five points adrift of Real Sociedad in third.
Here's all you need to know about this one.
Where are Villarreal vs Real Madrid playing?
- Location: Villarreal, Spain
- Stadium: Estadio de la Cerámica
- Date: Saturday 7 January
- Kick-off Time: 15:15 GMT / 10:15 ET / 07:15 PT
How to watch Villarreal vs Real Madrid on TV and live stream
United Kingdom
- La Liga TV
- Viaplay UK
United States
- ESPN+
Canada
- TSN
Villarreal team news
Giovani Lo Celso remains out with a hamstring injury, while Francis Coquelin has missed the last two games through his own fitness issue and may not yet be ready to return.
Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli won't be present on the bench as he nears a move to Ajax.
Villarreal predicted lineup vs Real Madrid
Villarreal Starting 11(4-2-3-1): Reina; Femenia, Foyth, P Torres, Moreno; Capoue, Parejo; Chukwueze, Baena, Pino; Danjuma
Real Madrid team news
Thibaut Courtois missed the cup game with a minor fitness concern but Ancelotti was always confident the goalkeeper would be available for this one, and the Belgian has already been spotted back in training.
Dani Carvajal was in the same boat but Ancelotti's optimism has not yet been rewarded by a return to training for the right-back, who could miss out alongside Mariano Diaz.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Villarreal
Real Madrid Starting 11(4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Tchouameni, Modric, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Junior
Villarreal vs Real Madrid score prediction
A point will be enough to take Real back to the La Liga summit, with Barcelona playing Atletico Madrid on Sunday, but they'll be keen to make a statement with a big victory against one of the division's European hopefuls.
However, Villarreal are on a run of five straight victories and don't give up too much at home, having lost there just once all season compared to four losses on the road.
There'll be no lack of confidence from Quique Setien's side, but expect Real to edge through a tight game.
Prediction: Villarreal 1-2 Real Madrid