Villarreal vs Real Madrid Prediction - La Liga Fixtures

It’s 5th vs 2nd in La Liga on Sunday and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Villarreal vs Real Madrid Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. Nathan landed his Real Madrid top tip last weekend, as Rayo Vallecano kept the scoreline respectable at the Bernabeu.

Villarreal fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat last weekend against Alaves but return to Estadio de la Ceramica in hope of getting back on track. Having lost just two of their last ten home matches, including some convincing scorelines in recent weeks, the hosts will relish the visit of Real.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side head into this having won four of their last five across all competitions, but clean sheets on their travels have been hard to come by. Often winning the difficult way, it might not be quite as easy as the odds suggest on Sunday. Here’s why.

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Prediction: Hosts can frustrate title contenders

Spain, La Liga, Sunday, March 9th, 17:30 (UK)

There’s sure to be more twists and turns this season and we could witness another this weekend. Villarreal are having a tremendous campaign, currently sat in 5th place with the opportunity to close the gap on Athletic Bilbao to just two points with their game in hand.

Real Madrid are looking to defend their crown, but the hosts are fighting for Champions League football in the final third of the season. A disappointing defeat against Alaves on the road wasn’t in the script, ending their six-match unbeaten run.

However, back at home, where they have been scoring for fun in recent weeks, Villarreal will cause Real Madrid plenty of problems. Their uncomplicated 4-4-2 approach works. Although a rare formation in 2025, Villarreal play to their strengths, utilising wingers that put in a shift each and every week, while their forwards have proven to cause defences issues all season long.

Although Tierno Barry hasn’t scored for a while, his strike partner Ayoze Perez has picked up the pieces, scoring 11 La Liga goals in just 19 appearances. This has comfortably been his best season since playing for Newcastle back in 2019 – and there’s plenty of matches still to play.

Villarreal have a good record at home against Real Madrid, too. With just two defeats in their last 10 meetings, you have to go back to early 2017 the last time Los Blancos won in the league in this fixture. Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Morata all on the scoresheet that day, and so Villarreal can be excused for their collapse after taking a 2-0 lead.

And while Real Madrid have new Galacticos, clean sheets on the road have been almost non-existent during their hectic period. In fact, their only clean sheet in their last five away games in La Liga came against bottom-placed Valladolid.

In their last five across all competitions, only Real Sociedad failed to score in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg. But Real head into this on the back of a 2-1 defeat against Betis when last seen on the road, and not all is well with their defensive shape.

With that in mind, Villarreal can continue their good form at home and they’ll be more than up for this. They raise their game for Real Madrid – as do most – and they can at least claim another valuable point as they look to secure a top four finish come May.

• Villarreal vs Real Madrid Prediction: Villarreal +0.5 Asian Handicap
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Prediction odds via bet365 as at 11:00, March 5th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups

Villarreal are still without Kiko Femenia and Gerard Moreno who both missed most of February with back and calf injuries respectively. The big call for the hosts will be whether to start Nicolas Pepe or Thierno Barry alongside Perez. Pepe’s pace could be useful, but Barry’s strength could cause Real Madrid’s makeshift back line a few issues.

The visitors may look to rotate once more, factoring in their crucial Champions League tie against Atletico just three days before. Thibaut Courtois was rested for their win against Rayo Vallecano, and so Andriy Lunin may be brought in once again between the sticks after his strong performance.

Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Conde; Cardona, Costa, Foyth, Navarro, Baena, Parjo, Gueye, Pino, Barry, Perez

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Lunin; Mendy, Rudiger, Asencio, Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Diaz, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe

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