Real Madrid vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-12-16 20:00.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti talked about “two minutes of madness” that almost cost them against Union Berlin in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday (W 3-2) but despite occasional slip-ups, they’re doing enough to overcome most opponents right now. Yet, that wasn’t the case against Real Betis in La Liga (LL) last weekend (D 1-1), and failing to win there means they start the round two points behind surprise leaders Girona.
Los Blancos are under a little pressure then and they’ll be on high alert as Villarreal, the last team to beat them in a home league game, arrive at the Bernabéu. Since that 3-2 defeat in April, Ancelotti’s side have gone undefeated across 12 LL fixtures here (W10, D2) and conceded just once across their last five (W4, D1) but they’ll be wary as they’ve only won of the last five H2Hs anywhere (D2, L2).
Villarreal have blown hot and cold this season but come into this fixture on a high after beating Rennes 3-2 on Thursday to finish top of their UEFA Europa League group. That might give them hope of improving on winning just one of their last five LL fixtures (D1, L3) and repeating last term’s upset win over their hosts.
That victory hasn’t stopped the bookmakers from installing them as long shots and although they’ve only won one LL away match this term as outsiders (D2, L1), the Yellow Submarine have been comfortable on their travels recently, losing just one of their last five league away fixtures (W1, D3). Villarreal are subsequently one of the few LL teams to win more points away than at home, with two of those coming at Madrid clubs Rayo Vallecano and Getafe, albeit they lost at Atlético Madrid in November.
Players to watch: Joselu seems to be finding his feet after a slow start to his second spell at Madrid, with his two strikes in midweek meaning his last four club goals have arrived after the 60th minute. Scorer of the winner against Rennes on Thursday, ex-Madrid midfielder Dani Parejo’s last eight goals for Villarreal came after half-time.
Hot stat: Madrid have scored a league-high ten LL goals between half-time and the 60th minute this term.