Preview, form, head-to-head, team news and broadcast details for Saturday’s LaLiga clash at Estadio de la Cerámica
Third plays second in LaLiga this Saturday, January 24, as high-flying Villarreal welcome Real Madrid to the Estadio de la Cerámica. The tantalising clash is arguably the pick of the games in Spain this weekend and sure to be a must-watch.
The Yellow Submarine, who finished fifth last season, sit in third place, level on points but with a game in hand over fourth-placed Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid are seven points ahead and trail league leaders Barcelona by just two points.
How the teams go into the game: form
The home side go into the game after back-to-back defeats and just two wins in their last seven games. However, although Ajax were victorious in Vila-real in the Champions League on Tuesday, the only team to beat them at home in LaLiga this season are Barcelona.
Villarreal have eight wins, one draw and that aforementioned loss from their ten home games in league action this campaign. This Saturday will be a stern test of their top-three credentials as Atleti lie waiting to leapfrog them.
Los Merengues, meanwhile, after an embarrassing start to interim head coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s reign have recovered to win their last two games, including an emphatic 6-1 thrashing of Monaco on Tuesday. They will be keen to keep that momentum going in their bid to keep the pressure on Barcelona, who play Real Oviedo on Sunday.
Villarreal vs Real Madrid: head-to-head
Recent history doesn’t make pleasant reading for Villarreal fans when it comes to this fixture as they have to cast their minds back to April 2023 for the last time their side beat Real Madrid.
Earlier this season, Madrid won 3-1 at the Bernabéu and they have won four of the last five meetings between the sides, with the other being a draw.
Next up: a big game at La Cerámica. pic.twitter.com/5qazXbLWzg
— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) January 22, 2026
Villareal vs Real Madrid: team news
The home side should be able to welcome back Ilias Akhomach and Papa Gueye after the pair played against each other in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Santiago Mouriño and Santi Comesana are suspended.
The visitors have a few doubts for the trip to the province of Castelló with question marks surrounding the availability of Antonio Rudiger and Rodrygo. However, Brahim Diaz is expected to be in contention after returning from AFCON duty.
Meanwhile, Éder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain out for Los Blancos, while Aurélien Tchouaméni is suspended.
Villarreal vs Real Madrid: predicted line-ups
Villarreal predicted line-up: Junior; Pau Navarro, Foyth, Veiga, Alfonso; Buchanan, Dani Parejo, Gueye, Alberto Moleiro; Mikautadze, Ayoze.
Real Madrid precited line-up: Courtois; Fede Valverde, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Camavinga; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Villarreal vs Real Madrid: When and where to watch in US & UK
The big game kicks off at 20:00 GMT and viewers in the UK will be able to stream the match on Disney+.
In the United States, the game will be broadcast by ESPN with a kick-off time of 15:00 ET. Viewers should check the start time in their local time zone to avoid missing any of the action.