- Date and Time: Saturday, March 15, 2025, 18:30 GMT+1
- Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villareal, Spain
| Odds via 22bet | |
| Villarreal vs Real Madrid | Saturday, March 15, 2025, 18:30 GMT+1 |
| Villarreal odds | 3.02 |
| Real Madrid odds | 2.13 |
| Draw | 3.94 |
| Over\Under | Total 2.5: 1.45/2.6 |
| Betting Bonus | Up to 122 $/€ |
Villarreal vs Real Madrid Preview and Team News
Villarreal News
Villarreal’s six-game unbeaten streak abruptly ended as they fell to Deportivo Alavés (1-0), despite playing 11v9 after two red cards. They dominated the match, recording 60% possession and 2.85 xG according to Opta. However, their lack of composure in front of goal cost them the three points, despite registering 24 shots and four big chances.
The hosts’ previous fixture against Espanyol was suspended following the recommendation of local authorities due to weather hazards in Castellón. The FA proposed rescheduling the match for April 9th, a decision both clubs rejected.
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) March 12, 2025
Villarreal insisted it could not play right before Real Betis and Athletic Club, while Espanyol argued playing away from home three times in one week would be unfair. A new date has not been announced yet, but is expected soon.
The home squad sit 5th in LaLiga with 44 points, trailing Athletic Club by 5, with a game in hand.
Gerard Moreno, Ilias Akhomach, and Kiko are out with injuries.
Villarreal predicted line-up vs Real Madrid (4-4-2): Conde; Cardona, Costa, Kambwala, Foyth; Baena, Parejo, Gueye, Pino; Pérez, Pepe.
| Key Player to Watch | Baena |
| Team Strengths | Strong in creating chances and keeping possession, set counter-attacking mechanisms through the center and the wings |
| Team Weaknesses | Lack of quality goal-scorers, weak in mental resilience and defending under pressure |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Ilias Akhomach, Gerard Moreno, and Kiko. |
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid qualified for the Champions League quarterfinals after a challenging derby in the Round of 16. Carlo Ancelotti’s men won the first leg but lost the second, resulting in extra time and penalties. There were refereeing controversies throughout the match, but they ended up winning in the penalty shootout session.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois reacted to the refereeing concerns. He insisted that “the victimisation must stop.’ This was a reaction to Diego Simeone’s complaints about the VAR decision to disallow Julian Alvarez’s goal.
🥶 @ToniRuediger 🥶 pic.twitter.com/u0YYrMhHrg
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 13, 2025
Real will face Arsenal next, with the two-legged tie scheduled for early April. Rüdiger played a key role in Madrid’s qualification, repeatedly stopping Atlético’s counter-attacks despite his team’s struggles to remain composed in defense.
The hosts’ left-back Ferland Mendy left the pitch hurt in the second half and is expected to be sidelined for the next three weeks. He joins the list of injuries in which Dani Cavajal, Dani Ceballos, Éder Militao, and Jesús Vallejo already feature.
Real Madrid predicted line-up vs Villarreal (4-4-2): Courtois; García, Alaba, Asencio, Vázquez; Bellingham, Tchouámeni, Modrić, Rodrygo; Vinicius, Mbappé.
| Key Player to Watch | Mbappé |
| Team Strengths | Superior individual offensive quality, confidence in pulling off any victory |
| Team Weaknesses | Lack of pressing, lack of midfield stability and dominance, weak mechanisms against low-block defences, lack of balance |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, Jesús Vallejo, Éder Militao |
Villarreal vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head Statistics
These clubs have faced each other 42 times, with the visitors winning 20. They’ve tied 16 matches, and the hosts have won six.
Their last encounter was in October 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0 thanks to goals from Federico Valverde and Ferland Mendy. They attacked primarily through the wings, achieving 11 shots, of which only 1 was a big chance. Ancelotti’s team struggled to assert dominance in the final third, only registering 0.45 xG.
🤩 @BellinghamJude ✖️ @RodrygoGoes 🤩 pic.twitter.com/5g1x1JG2Vp
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 13, 2025
The last clash at La Céramica was eventful. After an intense 4-4 draw, neither side won. Real Madrid seemed set for victory with a three-goal lead, but an Alexander Sørloth hat-trick turned the game around.
Villarreal last defeated the guests two years ago, thanks to a brace from Chukwueze and a goal from Morales. Both teams had their moments but the home squad were more conclusive in the final third, leading them to win 3-2 at the Bernabéu.
Bet hereVillarreal vs Real Madrid Player Focus
With Moreno and Akhomach injured, Villarreal’s attack has relied on Alejandro Baena and Thierry Barry to create chances in the final third. Baena has established himself in recent seasons as an elite playmaker, combining technical precision with tactical intelligence.
🫂 Family 🫂 pic.twitter.com/iLflhSocMm
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 13, 2025
As for Real Madrid, all eyes will be on Bellingham and Mbappé, combining technical accuracy with pace. Both had an underwhelming game in the derby, failing to prove their star status despite the expectations. Mbappé’s acceleration on and off the ball could be a crucial factor, especially given the right flank’s struggles against pacey forwards.
Villarreal vs Real Madrid Analysis
Previous encounters have rarely been dull, with clashes often ending in more than four goals being scored in ninety minutes. Saturday’s match should be no different, with both teams looking to break on the counter.
Villarreal are likely to look for the counter-attack through the midfield, while Ancelotti will focus on finding Mbappé and Vinicius in the final third.
El trabajo continúa. pic.twitter.com/NRqdzayi6p
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) March 12, 2025
The individual quality battle favours Real Madrid, but they’ve struggled to make an impact in the iconic La Céramica in previous years. Given the intense 120 minutes against Atlético de Madrid, Villarreal should also arrive in better shape this weekend.
Villarreal vs Real Madrid Prediction
- Prediction: Draw
- Odds: 3.94 (22Bet)
- Score Prediction: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid
While betting odds favor Real Madrid, their exhaustion could impact their performance. Against Atlético de Madrid, Ancelotti’s squad struggled to defend against counter-attacks. Marcelino’s men excel precisely in that department, while they have not had a mid-week match.
🎶 CÓMO NO TE VOY A QUERER 🎶 pic.twitter.com/oDXFNO0w4i
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 13, 2025
Previous encounters have shown that Villarreal can compete at this level, thanks to their strong midfield. They’ve been warned against Alavés that complacency in front of the net can lead to losses.
It’s an important warning ahead of the game. However, the team’s defensive carelessness is likely to be fatal against Mbappé and Bellingham.
Villarreal vs Real Madrid Betting Tip
- Pick: Alejandro Baena to score
- Odds: 3.75 (22Bet)
Following Carvajal’s injury, Real Madrid have struggled to defend on the flanks, especially the right side. Vázquez has found it difficult to fill in, leading to Ancelotti preferring to displace Valverde as a right-back.
This would be the perfect condition for Baena to cut in from wide in central zones, where he can be most dangerous at the edge of the box. In the absence of Moreno, he’s been one of the most consistent players.
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