Villarreal v Real Madrid: Line-ups, stats and preview with pressure still on Arbeloa

Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa is hoping the midweek thrashing of Monaco can act as a turning point in their season.

Having succeeded Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa suffered a miserable start to his tenure, losing at second tier Albacete in his first game in charge. Saturday’s 2-0 win over struggling Levante was largely underwhelming with Madrid’s display met with jeers and white hankies from the home fans with Vinicius Jr singled out for particular criticism.

There was, therefore, plenty riding on the midweek Champions League clash with the principality club but Madrid responded superbly, Vinicius at the heart of a resounding 6-1 win.

“I hope it’s the turning point we need,” Arbeloa said today. “Kylian [Mbappe] said it, it was our moment to take a step forward and show what we want to do. It’s important and the players did it, with effort and humility. I hope everything continues like this. We have a lot to work on, but from the first day I have seen a group willing to work.”

Much was made about Alonso’s relationship with the key figures in the Madrid dressing room but Arbeloa says he has encountered no issues as yet, adding: “I try to help the players, I can’t talk about anything else, about whether they are more or less happy than before. They are predisposed to work, they have received me with open arms.”

Barcelona’s defeat at Real Sociedad last weekend has breathed life into the title race. A win for Madrid at Villarreal tomorrow would see them go above their Catalan rivals ahead of their game with Oviedo on Sunday.

A defeat would make it a three-way tussle at the top with Villarreal starting the weekend third, seven points behind Madrid with a game in hand.

“They are one of the most difficult teams [to play against] in the league, we have to give our best version if we want to win. That’s what we’re focused on,” said Arbeloa.

Despite their strong form, Villarreal coach Marcelino insists they cannot challenge the big two for the title.

He told AS: “No. We are a team whose objective and challenge is to play for two consecutive seasons in the Champions League. There is a lot of the season left, we are still far from achieving it, but we are on the right track.”

Team News for Villarreal v Real Madrid

Villarreal are without injured trio Willy Kambwala, Logan Costa and Pau Cabanes while Santi Comesana and Santiago Mourino are both suspended.

Rodrygo is available for Madrid, as is Brahim Diaz, who has returned following his AFCON heartbreak with Morocco. Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao and Trent Alexander-Arnold are still injured. Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended.

Predicted line-ups for Villarreal v Real Madrid

Villarreal: Junior; Navarro, Veiga, Foyth, Pedraza; Buchanan, Parejo, Gueye, Moleiro; Perez, Mikautadze

Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Huijsen, Asencio, Carreras; Guler, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe

How to watch Villarreal v Real Madrid: TV and online streams

Villarreal versus Real Madrid kicks off tomorrow at 8pm UK time. It is not available to watch on UK TV but can be streamed via the Disney+ app.

Stats for Villarreal v Real Madrid

• Villarreal have not beaten Real Madrid at home since a 2-1 win in January 2023
• Real Madrid have only lost six of their previous 54 matches against Villarreal in all competitions

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