Real Madrid vs. Villarreal: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Real Madrid return to action against Villarreal. | Visionhaus/Getty Images (Real Madrid, Villarreal crests)Three weeks after a nightmare Madrid derby, Real Madrid finally get the chance to chase away the bitter taste of defeat with what should be a relatively routine clash with Villarreal on Saturday.

Three weeks after a nightmare Madrid derby, Real Madrid finally get the chance to chase away the bitter taste of defeat with what should be a relatively routine clash with Villarreal on Saturday.

The newly combined September-October international break came at the worst time for Los Blancos. They had just suffered a 2–1 loss to Atlético Madrid and had no chance to respond, forced to retreat to their various international camps until domestic action resumed in October.

The newly combined September-October international break came at the worst time for Los Blancos. They had just suffered a 2–1 loss to Atlético Madrid and had no chance to respond, forced to retreat to their various international camps until domestic action resumed in October.

Now back in the Spanish capital, José Mourinho’s men will be desperate to collect three points in front of a home crowd that will be ready to whistle the second things don’t go to plan. A victory is also crucial to keep the team in the vicinity of Barcelona atop the standings.

Now back in the Spanish capital, José Mourinho’s men will be desperate to collect three points in front of a home crowd that will be ready to whistle the second things don’t go to plan. A victory is also crucial to keep the team in the vicinity of Barcelona atop the standings.

The defending Spanish champions have been perfect in 2026–27, and already have a six-point gap to Real Madrid. With El Clásico looming, the 15-time European champions cannot afford another slip up.

The defending Spanish champions have been perfect in 2026–27, and already have a six-point gap to Real Madrid. With El Clásico looming, the 15-time European champions cannot afford another slip up.

The good news is Villarreal have just two wins to their name this season. The Yellow Submarine started the campaign winless in their first six matches before collecting victories against Málaga and Levante before domestic action paused.

The good news is Villarreal have just two wins to their name this season. The Yellow Submarine started the campaign winless in their first six matches before collecting victories against Málaga and Levante before domestic action paused.

Real Madrid need Kylian Mbappé to punish Villarreal’s defense. | Florencia Tan Jun/Getty ImagesReal Madrid have been far from impressive under Mourinho so far, but that doesn’t mean they’ll fall to a struggling Villarreal side. It might not be a vintage win considering international rust and various absentees, but Los Blancos will get the job done at the Bernabéu.

Real Madrid have been far from impressive under Mourinho so far, but that doesn’t mean they’ll fall to a struggling Villarreal side. It might not be a vintage win considering international rust and various absentees, but Los Blancos will get the job done at the Bernabéu.

Many of Mourinho’s best players put together strong international breaks, and will be raring to continue their run of form back at the domestic level. Jude Bellingham is undoubtedly back to his best, Marc Cucurella was elite for Spain and Arda Güler shined despite Türkiye’s turmoil.

Many of Mourinho’s best players put together strong international breaks, and will be raring to continue their run of form back at the domestic level. Jude Bellingham is undoubtedly back to his best, Marc Cucurella was elite for Spain and Arda Güler shined despite Türkiye’s turmoil.

Then there’s the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, who will both be eager to get back to action after things didn’t exactly go their way the last three weeks. The stars in white should overwhelm a Villarreal side still seeking its identity.

Then there’s the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, who will both be eager to get back to action after things didn’t exactly go their way the last three weeks. The stars in white should overwhelm a Villarreal side still seeking its identity.

Real Madrid escaped the international break relatively unscathed. Both Mbappé and Ibrahima Konaté avoided major issues, returned to training and are available for selection.

Real Madrid escaped the international break relatively unscathed. Both Mbappé and Ibrahima Konaté avoided major issues, returned to training and are available for selection.

Still, Mourinho might feel inclined to leave Konaté on the bench with an eye on the team’s Champions League clash with Roma on Wednesday. Dean Huijsen will also miss out through suspension after he was sent off against Atlético Madrid last time out.

Still, Mourinho might feel inclined to leave Konaté on the bench with an eye on the team’s Champions League clash with Roma on Wednesday. Dean Huijsen will also miss out through suspension after he was sent off against Atlético Madrid last time out.

With the injured Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio also sidelined, Aurélien Tchouaméni could reprise his role as an emergency center back. Eduardo Camavinga, then, could take his place in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva while Federico Valverde recovers from an ankle injury.

With the injured Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio also sidelined, Aurélien Tchouaméni could reprise his role as an emergency center back. Eduardo Camavinga, then, could take his place in midfield alongside Bernardo Silva while Federico Valverde recovers from an ankle injury.

Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy are inching their way toward their respective returns, but still have significant work to do before they return to Mourinho’s ranks.

Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy are inching their way toward their respective returns, but still have significant work to do before they return to Mourinho’s ranks.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Cucurella; Silva, Camavinga; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius Jr; Mbappé.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Cucurella; Silva, Camavinga; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius Jr; Mbappé.

Alex Freeman is coming off a great international break for the USMNT. | Omar Arnau/Quality Sport Images/Getty ImagesCompared to the long list of absentees for Mourinho, Villarreal come into Saturday’s fixture with a relatively clean bill of health. Only Tajon Buchanan is ruled out of the clash with a hamstring injury.

Compared to the long list of absentees for Mourinho, Villarreal come into Saturday’s fixture with a relatively clean bill of health. Only Tajon Buchanan is ruled out of the clash with a hamstring injury.

Iñigo Pérez must decide who replaces the Canadian. Nicolas Pépé will hope it’s his number called after failing to start the team’s last two games before the break. Alberto Moleiro could also shift to the left, but after his sublime outing as the team’s No. 10 last time out, he is expected to retain his position.

Iñigo Pérez must decide who replaces the Canadian. Nicolas Pépé will hope it’s his number called after failing to start the team’s last two games before the break. Alberto Moleiro could also shift to the left, but after his sublime outing as the team’s No. 10 last time out, he is expected to retain his position.

Santi Comesaña is also in line to start after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined in Villarreal’s win over Levante.

Santi Comesaña is also in line to start after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined in Villarreal’s win over Levante.

Santiago Mouriño is competing to start at right back, but Alex Freeman is coming off a strong international break for the U.S. men’s national team. The American should retain his place on the right flank, where his speed will come in handy against Vinícius Jr.

Santiago Mouriño is competing to start at right back, but Alex Freeman is coming off a strong international break for the U.S. men’s national team. The American should retain his place on the right flank, where his speed will come in handy against Vinícius Jr.

Villarreal predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Gulácsi; Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona; Gueye, Comesaña; Akhomach, Moleiro, Pepe; Pérez.

Villarreal predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Gulácsi; Freeman, Navarro, Veiga, Cardona; Gueye, Comesaña; Akhomach, Moleiro, Pepe; Pérez.

Published 4 minutes ago | Modified 4 minutes agoAMANDA LANGELLAmanda Langell is a writer and editor for SI FC. Born and raised in New York City, her first loves were the Yankees, the Rangers and Broadway before Real Madrid took over her life. Had it not been for her brother’s obsession with Cristiano Ronaldo, she would have never lived through so many magical Champions League nights 3,600 miles away from the Bernabéu. When she’s not consumed by Spanish and European soccer, she’s traveling, reading or losing her voice at a concert.