Real Madrid remain the hottest team in Spain as they go for their 13th straight league victory against fifth-placed Villarreal on Saturday.
Real Madrid vs. Villarreal: Preview and TV schedule
Los Blancos look to stay on a roll and keep pressure on Atlético Madrid and Barcelona as they face a tough match against Villarreal.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
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Carlo Ancelotti's side demolished their city rivals, a league leaders, Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday and must not turn their attention to a tricky home match against the Yellow Submarine. Cristiano Ronaldo is serving the first match of a three game ban for his red card in Madrid's draw against Athletic Bilbao but Gareth Bale is expected to be back in the lineup. The blossoming of young attacker Jesé will help soften the blow of losing Ronaldo just a bit as well.
Villarreal have been excellent in their first season back in La Liga are spending a year in the second division. They’ve been consistent all season and currently sit in fifth, just three points back of Athletic Club in fourth. Not a burn turnaround to go from a promoted side to on track for a European spot less than a year later. The Yellow Submarine played Madrid tough in their first meeting, earning a draw, but getting a point at the Bernabéu will be an entirely different challenge.
Madrid have lost just once at home this season and haven’t concede a goal at the Bernabéu since November 9th.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Cristiano Ronaldo (suspended), Sami Khedira (knee).
Villarreal injuries and suspensions
Out: Tomás Pina (suspended), Óliver Torres (shoulder). In Doubt: Bruno (thigh).
Cristiano Ronaldo of Madrid and Tomá Pina of Villarreal are both serving red card suspensions, while the Yellow Submarine’s midfielder could be further weakened if Bruno’s thigh injury keeps him out.
Projected lineups
Real Madrid: Diego López, Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Xabi Alonso, Luka Modrić, Ángel di María, Gareth Bale, Jesé, Karim Benzema
Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo, Mario Gaspar, Gabriel Paulista, José Dorado, Jaume Costa, Eduardo Ramos, Bruno, Javier Aquino, Moi Gómez, Giovani dos Santos, Ikechukwu Uche
Match Date/Time: 8 p.m. local, 2 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español (U.S.), Sky Sports 2 (U.K.), Sportsnet (Canada)
Online: beIN Sports Play (U.S.), beIN Sports Play (Canada)
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