Villarreal vs Real Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-01-06 15:15.
Villarreal left it late to beat Valencia 2-1 on their return to La Liga (LL) action following the World Cup, leaving manager Quique SetiĂ©n a happy man. âToday was a special day for the club,â he said after they marked their return to the renovated Estadio de la CerĂĄmica by beating their local rivals, an ideal way to kick off the clubâs centenary year and continue their push for a European qualification place.
After losing just one of their six home league games this term (W4, D1), theyâll hope the celebrations can continue as they host reigning LL champions Real Madrid. Although they havenât beaten Madrid at home since December 2015, the last five H2Hs here were drawn so they are no strangers to making life difficult for the visitors.
Madrid also needed a late show against Real Valladolid (W 2-0) on their return to action in a game sadly marred by racist chanting aimed at VinĂcius JĂșnior in particular. Despite that incident, they should be firing on all cylinders here with Luka ModriÄ among those now available again having been rested for that win, and with manager Carlo Ancelotti having never lost against Villarreal (W2, D4), Madrid will feel confident of improving on that record to keep the pressure on LL leaders and rivals Barcelona.
It's been all or nothing for Los Blancos on the road this term (W7, L1) and after beating Cacereño 1-0 in a midweek Copa del Rey match, theyâre now seeking a hat-trick of competitive away wins âto nilâ. As theyâve kept three clean sheets across their last four LL road games (W3, L1), goals could well be at a premium again here, particularly as both league H2Hs last term finished 0-0!
Key battle: Villarreal defender Juan Foyth popped up with an 88th-minute winner against Valencia but could be more preoccupied here with preventing VinĂcius from scoring his first goal against Villarreal. Despite that lack of personal success, the Brazilian has never lost against them (W3, D5).
Hot stat: Villarreal netted after the 85th minute in two of their last three home LL games with Madrid doing likewise in two of their last three LL road fixtures.