The Matchday 8 clash in La Liga between Real Madrid and Villarreal will take place on October 4 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Real Madrid vs. Villarreal: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Real Madrid
The Madrid side suffered their first defeat in the current championship, losing heavily (2-5) in the last round's derby against Atletico. This setback cost Real the top spot in the league table, dropping them to second place, overtaken by their main rival, Barcelona. Real Madrid is also second in the list of the most prolific teams in the tournament, having scored 16 goals, trailing only Barcelona, who have netted 21 times. Notably, the capital club has won all three home matches in the current Primera season with a total goal difference of 5:1.
- Real's uncompromising streak in the championship spans 21 matches (17 wins, 4 losses).
- The team's scoring run in La Liga extends to 23 matches, scoring at least twice in the last six.
- The Madrid side has won seven consecutive home games in La Liga.
Predicted lineup for Real Madrid (4-4-2)
Thibaut Courtois – Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Dean Heysen, Alvaro Carreras – Arda Güler, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Vinicius Junior – Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham.
Defenders Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are still recovering from injuries.
Villarreal
The club secured their third consecutive victory in La Liga, defeating Athletic 0-1 in the previous match. This surge has lifted the Valencia side to third place in the Spanish championship standings, closing the gap to Real Madrid to just two points. Villarreal's defense has been solid in the current La Liga season, conceding only five goals, the best record in the tournament alongside Barcelona. However, it's worth noting that the team has earned only four of their 16 points away from home in the current Primera season.
- The Valencia side has won 11 of their last 13 La Liga matches (1 draw, 1 loss).
- No more than three goals have been scored in the club's last three matches in this tournament.
- Villarreal has conceded in 21 of their last 23 away matches in the Spanish championship.
Predicted lineup for Villarreal (4-4-2)
Luiz Junior – Santiago Mourino, Rafa Marin, Renato Veiga, Sergi Cardona – Ilias Akhomach, Thomas Partey, Pape Gueye, Manor Solomon – Nicolas Pepe, Georges Mikautadze.
Defenders Logan Costa, Juan Foyth, Willy Kambwala, and forwards Ayoze Perez, Gerard Moreno, Pau Cabanes will not be available due to health issues.
Referee
Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez (Spain)
Matches – 6 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 50%.
Real Madrid vs. Villarreal: Match Prediction
Xabi Alonso's side suffered a fiasco in the Madrid derby in the last round, collapsing in the second half, where they conceded three goals. Even in the first half, Xabi Alonso's team conceded twice, as many as in the previous six La Liga games combined. This slip ended Real's nine-match winning streak in the Spanish championship and cost them the top spot. However, the Madrid side has already partially redeemed themselves in front of their fans by thrashing Kairat 5-0 in the Champions League this week, remaining among the leaders in the most prestigious European club competition. But against their upcoming opponent, such an "easy walk" is unlikely for the hosts.
Villarreal is performing well in the current La Liga season and is chasing the Madrid side in the standings. Moreover, over a longer stretch, the Valencia side has been delivering excellent results in the Spanish championship, winning 11 of their last 13 matches. Villarreal also gives Real Madrid a tough fight, losing by more than one goal in only 2 of their last 18 La Liga encounters.
I expect the Valencia side to put up a fight against the giants, who, as shown in the first league game against a strong opponent, are far from perfect. My prediction: Villarreal with a handicap (+1.5)
