Real Madrid Projected Lineup Features Carreras and Alexander-Arnold vs Villarreal

Real Madrid host Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu for matchweek eight of the La Liga season, returning from the international break while carrying a defensive injury crisis and a newly configured squad under manager José Mourinho.

Real Madrid enter this weekend sitting fourth in the La Liga table with 15 points, trying to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat against Atlético de Madrid in their last league fixture. Meanwhile, Villarreal arrive in ninth position with eight points after securing a 3-1 win against Levante prior to the break. The visitors have climbed the standings thanks to back-to-back league victories following a slow start to the campaign.

Mourinho Projects Lineups for Santiago Bernabéu Clash

Manager José Mourinho is expected to set his squad up in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation as they look to secure all three points at home. To patch the backline, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni is projected to drop into central defense beside Rüdiger.

Real Madrid Projected Lineup Features Carreras and Alexander-Arnold vs Villarreal — Photo: Yahoo Sports

On the flanks, Alvaro Carreras, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Marc Cucurella contend for defensive duties alongside Denzel Dumfries while the squad aims to maintain defensive shape. Kylian Mbappé leads the attacking line alongside Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid and Villarreal CF have already met 55 times, with Real Madrid holding the advantage: 32 wins, compared with six Villarreal CF victories. In the Spanish league, the two teams have played 52 matches, with 29 Real Madrid wins, 17 draws and six Villarreal CF victories. The last meeting between the two teams ended with Real Madrid winning 2-0. Real Madrid have 15 points to date and are placed in 4th position, while Villarreal CF have eight points to their name this season and occupy 9th position in the table. Real Madrid are coming off four consecutive matches scoring goals and four consecutive matches without defeat at home, alongside four consecutive wins at home. Villarreal CF are coming off five consecutive matches conceding goals away from home, but are also coming off five consecutive matches scoring goals, eight consecutive matches conceding goals overall, two consecutive matches without defeat, and two consecutive wins.

Defenders Miss Out Due to Injuries and Suspensions

Real Madrid’s medical room features several key absentees. Ibrahima Konaté is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, Dean Huijsen serves a suspension following a straight red card during the derby defeat against Atlético de Madrid, and Raúl Asencio deals with a fatigue fracture sidelining the defensive options. Konaté remains a minor doubt but could return to the bench. Eder Militao, Rodrygo, and Ferland Mendy are all set to miss out due to injury.

Real Madrid vs Villarreal Prediction, Lineups & Team News — Photo: rotowire.com

Villarreal’s recent improvement coincides with an attacking streak where they have scored in five consecutive matches while also conceding during five straight outings away from home. Iñigo Pérez’s team won 3-1 against Levante in their last fixture, and their predicted lineup features Péter Gulácsi, Alex Freeman, Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga, Sergi Cardona, Pape Gueye, Nathan Saliba, Ilias Akhomach, Alberto Moleiro, Tajon Buchanan, and Ayoze Pérez.

Hosts Defend Capital Record Against Villarreal

Real Madrid hold a commanding historical advantage in this fixture, having won 32 of their 55 previous meetings against Villarreal, including 19 victories in 27 matches at the Santiago Bernabéu while Villarreal have managed just two wins in the capital. José Mourinho will set his players up in a 4-3-3 formation and is expected to make a few tweaks to his first XI for this game.

With kickoff scheduled for Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu broadcasting live across multiple networks including ESPN+ in the United States, both sides enter a demanding stretch before upcoming European fixtures, as Real Madrid prepare to visit Roma in the Champions League mid-week. Real Madrid have 15 points to date and are placed in 4th position in the league standings.