Villarrealvs.Real Madrid

The Yellow Submarine are currently fifth in the La Liga table, but they had a setback in terms of their top-four hopes last weekend, suffering a 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Alaves.

Marcelino is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack, and it is likely to be the same squad available for this match.

Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach will again miss the match due to injury problems, while Kiko Femenia remains a major doubt.

The only change from last weekend could come in the final third of the field, with Thierno Barry expected to get the nod over Nicolas Pepe to feature alongside Ayoze Perez as part of a front two.

Alfonso Pedraza and Santi Comesana will be among those in the manager's thinking when it comes to potential alterations, but it is expected that the duo will again be among the substitutes for the first whistle.

Perez has been a standout performer for Villarreal this season, scoring 14 times in 21 appearances, and there will be a spot in the final third of the field for the Spain international on Saturday night.

Alex Baena, meanwhile, is another to have drawn attention this term, with the 23-year-old managing six goals and seven assists during an impressive 2024-25 campaign.

Villarreal possible starting lineup: Conde; Foyth, Kambwala, Costa, S Cardona; Pino, Gueye, Parejo, Baena; Barry, Perez

Written by

Matt Law