Real Madrid are seeking to continue their red hot form to the start of the 2021/22 season with a game against Villarreal up next on Saturday.
The Los Blancos are yet to taste defeat in any of the games they have played in this season across all competitions.
Madrid has give wins from six league games this campaign as well as a win their opening UEFA Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.
Since their UEFA Europa League triumph over Manchester United last season, Villarreal has struggled to hit top gear across all competitions.
Unai Emery’s men have just one win in six league games so far, a 4-1 victory over Elche CF in midweek.
The Yellow Submarines are looking to maintain such momentum as they visit the Santiago Bernabeu over the weekend.
Both Carlo Ancelotti and Emery have clashed eight times in their managerial career, with each coach boasting four wins.
Villarreal’s last win over Real Madrid came on January 1, 2018, a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu courtesy of a Pablo Fornals strike.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Date: Saturday, September 25
Time: 19:00 GMT
TEAM NEWS
Ancelotti has excluded Toni Kroos from the squad to face Villarreal despite the midfielder training normally with his teammates on Thursday and Friday respectively. Others who are also out of the clash include; Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy. Ancelotti is expected to make few changes to the side that beat RCD Mallorca in midweek.
For Villarreal, Samuel Chukwueze remains on the sidelines due to injury while Gerard Moreno, Dani Raba, and Yeremi Pino are also huge doubts for the clash.
POSSIBLE STARTING LINEUPS
Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Alaba, Gutierrez; Asensio, Casemiro, Modric; Vinicius, Benzema, Rodrygo.
Villarreal predicted XI: Asenjo; Gaspar, Mandi, P Torres, Estupinan; Parejo, Capoue, Trigueros; Groeneveld, Alcacer, Pino.
PREDICTION
Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal
