Preview: Real Madrid vs. Villarreal - prediction, team news, lineups

Los Blancos are currently second in the table, two points behind leaders Atletico, while Villarreal sit seventh, one point behind fifth-placed Real Sociedad, meaning that both sides have plenty to play for in Madrid.

Match preview

Real Madrid have kept to their end of the bargain in terms of the title race, with last weekend's 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao ensuring that they are very much in the argument heading into the final set of fixtures.

It is relatively simple for Los Blancos - they must win to stand any chance of retaining the title. Indeed, a victory, coupled with either an Atletico draw or a defeat against Real Valladolid, would see them lift the trophy.

Atletico are in the driving seat, though, as the Red and Whites know that a victory would see them finish at the summit regardless of what happens between Real Madrid and Villarreal in the Spanish capital.

Zinedine Zidane's side are actually unbeaten in the league since the end of January, but the recent draws with Getafe, Real Betis and Sevilla have ultimately cost them the chance to be at the top of the table.

Real Madrid have the best away record in La Liga this term, but they have dropped points in six of their 18 league matches at home and will certainly be wary of the threat that a dangerous Villarreal side could provide.

Villarreal will face Manchester United in the Europa League final next Wednesday, but the Yellow Submarine cannot afford to take their eye off the ball in the league, as fifth position is still very much open.

Unai Emery's side have been excellent in their last two league matches, beating Valladolid 2-0 on May 13 before thumping Sevilla 4-0 last time out, with Carlos Bacca scoring three times against the top-four side.

As it stands, El Submarino Amarillo are seventh in the table, level on points with sixth-placed Real Betis and one point behind fifth-placed Real Sociedad. There is a chance that a win for Villarreal would bring them fifth, although they will still be relying on results elsewhere.

Emery's team can, of course, still qualify for next season's Champions League, but they will need to beat Man United, who are currently enduring a bad run of form, in the Europa League final.

The Yellow Submarine held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the reverse match earlier this season, while they have a recent away league victory over Los Blancos to their name, having run out 1-0 winners at the Bernabeu in January 2018.

Real Madrid La Liga form:

Real Madrid form (all competitions):

Villarreal La Liga form:

Villarreal form (all competitions):

Team News

Real Madrid will again be without the services of Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez through injury, but Raphael Varane has trained after recovering from a muscular problem, and the France international is likely to be in the starting XI this weekend.

Sergio Ramos has also made huge steps forward in his recovery, but it seems more likely that the Spaniard will be on the bench due to a troublesome hamstring problem.

Toni Kroos, meanwhile, is out with coronavirus, meaning that Federico Valverde, Casemiro and Luka Modric should line up as the midfield three. Karim Benzema is a certainty in the final third, and he could be flanked by Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio, with Eden Hazard and Rodrygo on the bench.

As for Villarreal, Samuel Chukwueze, Juan Foyth and Vicente Iborra are still on the sidelines through injury, but Etienne Capoue, Mario Gaspar and Geronimo Rulli are available following suspensions.

Head coach Emery is expected to make changes from the side that started against Sevilla, with Francis Coquelin, Paco Alcacer and Alfonso Pedraza potentially coming into the side.

Gerard Moreno could be rested ahead of the Europa League final, but the likes of Pau Torres and Dani Parejo are likely to be handed starting roles for the Yellow Submarine.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Odriozola, Varane, Militao, Nacho; Valverde, Casemiro, Modric; Vinicius, Benzema, Asensio

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Asenjo; Gaspar, Albiol, Torres, Pedraza; Pino, Coquelin, Parejo, Gomez; Alcacer, Bacca

We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal

Villarreal are a team to be taken extremely seriously at this level of football, but the Yellow Submarine will have one eye on the Europa League final. We are expecting a tight match in the Spanish capital but expect Zidane's side to secure all three points, which could yet be enough to win the title.