The problem with many leagues at this late stage of the season is there’s just nothing to play for. In most competitions, including the English Premier League, German Bundesliga and Italian Serie A, the champions have already been decided. That leaves the other clubs to scrap it out for the minor places. With little to aim at, we often see games lacking a competitive edge. That’s certainly not the case in Spain, and nothing could be further from the truth as Real Madrid get ready to host Villarreal in a match where everything is at stake.
Entering the final round of matches in La Liga, we have a two-horse race for the trophy. Barcelona started the month with claims on the prize but fell off the pace when it mattered most. That left Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to scrap it out. Which half of the Madrid divide will come out on top? It’s anyone’s guess at this stage, and followers are preparing for a grandstand finish. This match will draw a global audience with lovers of the beautiful game desperate to sample the excitement of the occasion.
The stats attached to this fixture suggest we are in for a competitive and nervy 90 minutes of play. This season’s only previous meeting of these teams ended in a scrappy 1-1 draw back in November of last year. There has been no more than one goal between the teams in any of their last nine meetings, a run stretching back to April 2016. Interestingly, both teams have scored in their last six clashes, and neutrals will hope this renewal falls into line/.
Madrid know they must win
Madrid entered this season as defending champions after seeing off Barcelona last summer to snatch the trophy in the dying games. Barca fell apart in the last few games, and they did so again this season. Usually, Barcelona losing their way would hand the title to Real Madrid. Still, this season is different as Atletico Madrid are running and entering the final round of matches top of the league. Real know anything less than victory at home against Villarreal will cost them the title. Not only that, they would be forced to hand the trophy to their derby rivals across the city.
Real Madrid starts this home match second in the table with 81 points on the board, two behind Atletico Madrid. They have won 24 games, drawn nine and lost four, scoring 65 goals and conceding 27. There is little between the Madrid sides, with Real and Atletico losing four each, but Atletico have won one more than Real and that two points are the difference at this stage. They also have an identical recent form of three wins and a draw from their last four. This race will go right down to the wire, and followers can expect a stunning finish to the season, one of the best in recent years.
Blancos were last seen in action beating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 away from home in a tense 90 minutes. Madrid made the breakthrough that day on 68 minutes thanks to a goal from Nacho, which proved to be the winner. Tempers boiled over in the last few minutes of that game, and Garcia was sent off near the end for the beaten team. It doesn’t matter how Madrid win this match, 1-0 or 5-4. The most important thing is the three points. They know they must score but can’t afford to leave themselves open to the counterattack.
Villarreal could finish fifth
All the talk in the build-up to this match concerns Real Madrid and their quest to retain the La Liga title, but there’s plenty at stake for Villarreal in this game too. The visitors enter the game seventh in La Liga but knowing victory could lift them above Real Sociedad and Real Betis into fifth. That would greatly enhance their share of the prize money and improve their chances in the Europa League, seeing them enter the competition later. This increases their summer break.
Villarreal has 58 points on the board, one less than Real Sociedad in fifth and five better than Celta Vigo in the eighth. They can’t drop any lower in the league table, which means they have nothing to lose in this game. They can go out there and enjoy the occasion, playing with freedom and trying to break into the top five. The away players know they can’t win the league but will love the attention that comes from playing a huge part in deciding who the champions of Spanish football will be this year. They’ll put pressure on Blancos, aim to meet them toe-to-toe and try to rattle their hosts.
The away team have won three of their last four games and collected each of the last six points available to them. They set up for this game by hammering Sevilla 4-0 in their final home match of the season in a real show of strength from the players. Bacca made the headlines by grabbing a hattrick that day, netting three goals in less than 45 minutes. The spare came from Moreno, and those inside the away dressing room before kick-off will be confident they have what it takes to upset the locals.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal prediction
This could prove to be the most exciting match in European football this weekend. There’s a lot at stake for both clubs as Real Madrid chase the title while Villarreal aims to break into the top five. All the pressure is on the home team, but they have been in this kind of situation many times before and have come through victories. That experience could prove the difference between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the season’s final match.
Villareal may have plenty still to play for, but they will enjoy the pressure being on their opponents. They will enjoy playing the pantomime villain here to spoil the party and deny Real Madrid the title. The longer this match remains goalless, the nervier the home team will get and the more chance Villarreal will have to score on the counter.
La Liga odds
Real Madrid is 1.44 to win this match with Villareal 6.65 and the draw 4.8.
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