Villarreal could potentially secure survival as they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid.
This game is far more important for the visitors looking at the table. With Real Madrid now officially stuck in 3rd place they are playing for nothing but gaining some momentum towards next season whereas Villarreal are still not officially safe but with 3 games to go and 5 pts clear of 18th placed Valladolid, the visitors could secure safety with a win if Valladolid fail to win themselves.
Real Madrid are coming into this game on a poor run of form only managing 2 wins from their last 6 games and they have failed to win each of their last 2 failing to score a single goal drawing 0-0 with Getafe and losing 1-0 to Rayo Vallecano last week. With nothing to play for, it does seem like Madrid players are more focused on the holidays and the offseason at this point.
Villarreal meanwhile have hit their form of the season at the right time. Villarreal have picked up 10 points from their last 4 games having just gone through a 3 game win streak although their last performance wasn’t too convincing as they only managed to pick up a 1-1 draw against Huesca at home, but despite that, Villarreal are definitely playing better than they have throughout any stage of the season.
Real Madrid have been solid at home however. 12 wins from 17 and they have a 100% win ratio since Zidane took over winning all 4 games at the Bernabeu, most recently beating Bilbao 3-0. Most of Madrid’s struggles lately have come on their travels as they failed to win any away games since Zidane took over, but at the Bernabeu they have looked more like themselves during the past month.
Villarreal have actually been a decent away side in the league, nothing special but not too bad. Half of their total league points have come on their travels and they have the 8th best away record at 5W 5D 7L in La Liga this season. Villarreal’s away form lately has been pretty good as well as they have won in 3 of their last 5 away league games and are coming off a 0-1 win away at Sociedad in their most recent away game.
With Benzema out, the player to watch for Real Madrid for this game is Gareth Bale. He’s not been in great form, but there really isn’t anyone other to pick. Bale is Madrid’s 2nd top scorer with 8 league goals and has 3 assists. On his day he can definitely be a force and with Benzema out, he will be expected to pick up his play.
With Ekambi and Bacca both out, the player to watch for the visitors has to be Santi Cazorla. He’s their top assist man with 10 assists and is only one of 3 to have double figure assists in La Liga alongside that he has 4 goals of which 2 came against Real Madrid earlier this season. Cazorla is one player that has the ability to unlock a defence with his creativity and Villarreal will need that from him this weekend.
Looking at recent H2H, Villarreal have shown to cause problems for Real Madrid. During the past 5 meetings between these clubs, 3 of them ended with draws while both sides split a win each. The reverse fixture resulted with a 2-2 draw this season.
Furthermore, Villarreal have only lost once in their last 4 visits to the Bernabeu and actually won here in their most recent visit last season as they took down Real Madrid 0-1. It definitely does seem like Villarreal have been a bogey team for Real Madrid during the past 2-3 years.
Real Madrid are tipped as bookies favourites to win at 1.68 while Villarreal to win is 5.00 with Draw offered at 4.10. The odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Real Madrid: Key men Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos are both out. Alvaro Odriozola is also out and may not see action for the rest of this season.
Villarreal: Karl Toko Ekambi and Santiago Caseres are both suspended while Bacca is out with an injury. Vicente Iborra is back from suspension and will be available though.
Betting Stats
Real Madrid have covered just 11.8% of their total goal overs at home in the league this season which is the worst percentage in La Liga (2-15).
Real Madrid have covered 17.6% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in the league this season which is 2nd worst in La Liga (3-14).
Real Madrid average 1.71 bookings per game at home in the league this season (29 bookings in 17 games).
Karim Benzema is Real Madrid’s top scorer at home with 10 goals, but with him out the next top scorer is Gareth Bale with 3 goals at the Bernabeu in the league this season.
Real Madrid have covered 29.4% of their Handicaps at home in the league this season which is tied 2nd worst in La Liga (5-2-10).
Real Madrid have covered 23.5% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in the league this season which is 4th worst in La Liga (4-2-11).
Villarreal have covered 47.1% of their total goal overs away from home in the league this season (8-9).
Villarreal have covered 29.4% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in the league this season (5-4-8).
Villarreal average 3.12 bookings per game away from home in the league this season (53 bookings in 17 games).
Karl Toko Ekambi, Gerard Moreno and Samuel Chukwueze are all tied Villarreal’s top scorers away from home in the league this season with 3 away goals each.
Villarreal have covered 41.2% of their Handicaps away from home in the league this season (7-1-9).
Villarreal have only covered 23.5% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in the league this season (4-8-5) though 47.1% of them were Voided.
KICK OFF – 5th May 2019 – 3:15pm UK Time
.png?v=1.014689135)
