Real Madrid host Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday in a match that could be important to Carlo Ancelotti's hopes of quietening some of the concern around his team's form.
Los Blancos were beaten for the first time in league or UEFA Champions League play since January this week as they fell to a 1-0 loss to Lille. That result followed their 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, in which they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser, and a nervy 3-2 home win over Deportivo Alaves.
Madrid have seen too many players fall short of their best form so far in 2024/25, including England star Jude Bellingham and new signing Kylian Mbappe, who only appeared as a substitute against Lille due to injury. There is little suggestion that Ancelotti's job could be under threat, but anything other than a convincing victory against Marcelino's men will see scrutiny increase on the Italian.
Villarreal are only a point behind Madrid in the standings after a strong start to their domestic campaign, although a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of leaders Barcelona last month suggests this game could be a tall order.
STREAM: Real Madrid vs. Villareal LIVE via ESPN+ (USA)
Real Madrid vs. Villarreal lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Ancelotti spoke to the media on Friday and denied suggestions that his midfield is missing a more robust player, but there is a feeling that he may need to change things up to get a tune out of his most effective stars.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is still sidelined, so Andriy Lunin is expected to deputise again. Brahim Diaz and David Alaba are also out, while there are some doubts around Eder Militao after he was substituted against Lille.
Kylian Mbappe was omitted from the France squad for this month as he is not fully sharp following his own injury, so he may be a substitute again here. That could mean Jude Bellingham is pushed further forward, allowing Luka Modric to come into central midfield.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-3-1-2, right to left): Lunin (GK) — Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy — Modric, Tchouameni, Valverde — Bellingham — Vinicius, Rodrygo
Injured: Courtois, Alaba, Brahim Diaz, Militao (doubt), Ceballos (doubt)
Suspended: None
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There are doubts around the fitness of striker Ayoze Perez, and it would be a huge blow for Villarreal if he were not available — only Robert Lewandowski has scored more La Liga goals this season.
Denis Suarez is also expected to miss out, along with longer-term absentees Willy Kambwala, Gerard Moreno, Juan Foyth, and Alfonso Pedraza.
Marcelino used Nicolas Pepe and Thierno Barry to good effect as a front two in their 3-1 win over Las Palmas, and he could stick with that system here.
Villarreal predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Conde (GK) — Femenia, Bailly, Costa, S Cardona — Akhomach, Parejo, Gueye, Baena — Barry, Pepe.
Injured: Kambwala, Moreno, Foyth, Pedraza, Suarez (doubt), Perez (doubt)
Suspended: None
What time does Real Madrid vs. Villarreal kick off?
This La Liga match takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain and kicks off on Sunday, October 6 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major global territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Sun, Oct. 6 | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Sun, Oct. 6 | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| Australia | Mon, Oct. 7 | 5:00 a.m. AEST |
| UK | Sun, Oct. 6 | 8:00 p.m. BST |
| India | Mon, Oct. 7 | 12:30 a.m. IST |
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