La Liga preview and odds: Villarreal vs Real Madrid

Published on: 12/12/2015

La Liga preview and odds: Villarreal vs Real Madrid

December 13, 2015 19:30am - El Madrigal

La Liga

Early season pace-setters Villarreal could break back into the top four on Sunday when they welcome second-ranked Real Madrid to El Madrigal in La Liga.

Villarreal aiming for top four

Villarreal started the season with five wins and a draw and were clear at the top of the table after six games had been played. Since then they have won two, drawn two and lost two and are now occupying fifth place with a total of 24 points.

They got back to winning ways at home to Rayo Vallecano last time out after falling 2-0 away to Getafe in the previous game. Marcelinos men have only been beaten once on home soil this season - a 2-1 reverse against Celta de Vigo.

Rumblings of discontent continue in the capital

Rafa Benitez equalled his own Champions League club scoring record when he led Real Madrid to an 8-0 victory over Malmo on Tuesday night. As a result of that dominant display, the pressure on the Coach seems to have eased slightly, but the fans are still unhappy with President Florentino Perez after the fiasco surrounding their Copa del Rey elimination. In addition, revelations that he may have influenced the team selection for El Clasico have also angered the faithful.

With their Champions League campaign well on track, Los Blancos must now turn their attention to the league where they are just four points adrift of leaders Barcelona. A win on Sunday will help to keep the fans on side and also maintain the pressure on their title rivals.

Team news

Villarreal currently have six players missing through injury. Of those six, Daniele Bonera, Leo Baptistao and Adrian will all be missing until the new year, while Bojan Jokic, Juame Costa, Sergio Asenjo and Mario Gaspar could all return sooner subject to assessment.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez will be without Raphael Varane and Daniel Carvajal for the trip to the East Coast of Spain, while Sergio Ramos remains a doubt.

Recent form (League)

Villarreal: WLDLW

Real Madrid: WWLLW

Betting odds and tips

The visitors have scored 12 goals in their last two games and could make it an uncomfortable afternoon for the home side. Real Madrid can be backed at 4/6 with a range of bookmakers.

Both teams have scored in four out Villarreals last five home games and in four out of the last five of Real Madrids away games. You can back this outcome at 8/15 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 12/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (12/12/2015 15:28:29) but are subject to change.