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The upcoming La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Villarreal promises to be an intriguing encounter. Scheduled for December 17, 2023, at 9 p.m. WAT, the match will be held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Fans can watch the game live on Viaplay Sports 2 channel and La Liga TV.
Those attending in person can acquire tickets through official club channels or reputable ticket resellers.
Recent Form and Historical Record
Real Madrid, despite their impressive home form, have struggled against Villarreal in recent La Liga encounters, losing their previous two matches against the Yellow Submarines. Historically, they've won only one out of their last six games against Villarreal in the league. However, Real Madrid has been formidable at the Santiago Bernabéu, boasting a streak of 12 La Liga matches without defeat as the home side.
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Despite a recent 2-1 defeat in the Europa League against Union Saint-Gilloise, their performance in the Premier League has been impressive
Villarreal, meanwhile, has managed five wins, three draws, and two defeats in their last 10 away games. They have not lost to Real Madrid in their last four meetings, indicating a competitive edge in this rivalry.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Real Madrid is grappling with several injury issues. Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois are sidelined due to serious knee injuries, while Vinicius Jr is out with a hamstring issue, and Eduardo Camavinga is also expected to miss the match. Aurelien Tchouameni might return to the squad after his recent injury.
Carlo Ancelotti is likely to continue with a 4-3-1-2 diamond formation. Key players like Jude Bellingham, who has become a crucial figure for Real Madrid, and Rodrygo, are expected to play pivotal roles in the absence of Vinicius Jr. Joselu, who has been in good form, will also be crucial for Real Madrid’s attack.
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Villarreal also faces injury concerns with players like Santi Comesana, Yeremy Pino, Denis Suarez, Aissa Mandi, and Alejandro Moreno expected to miss the match. Juan Foyth's participation is also in doubt due to a recent injury. Coach Marcelino might deploy a 4-4-2 system, with Gerard Moreno and Jose Luis Morales leading the attack.
Key Players to Watch
For Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo are players to keep an eye on. Bellingham has played a significant role in scoring, while Rodrygo has been crucial in creating and finishing chances. Joselu’s performance in the center-forward role will also be vital.
On the Villarreal side, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen will need to be at his best, and the performances of Gerard Moreno and Jose Luis Morales upfront will be key to Villarreal's chances.
Match Analysis and Betting Tips
Real Madrid’s recent form and home advantage make them favorites, but Villarreal’s record in recent meetings can’t be overlooked. Betting odds suggest a likelihood of both teams scoring and a probability of over 2.5 goals being scored during the match.
Given the teams' styles and recent forms, it could be a closely contested match with chances at both ends. Real Madrid's approach with a diamond formation may focus on midfield control, while Villarreal's 4-4-2 could aim to exploit the flanks and use their forward duo effectively.
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14:00 - 15.12.2023
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Conclusion and Prediction
Predicting the outcome of this match is challenging due to the contrasting recent forms and historical head-to-head records. While Real Madrid is strong at home, Villarreal has shown resilience in previous encounters against them. The match could end in a closely fought draw or a narrow victory for either side, depending on how the key players perform and the tactical approaches of both teams.
Time and Where to watch
The match time is 6:45pm WAT and for Nigerian viewers, it's best to check local sports channels for live coverage closer to the match, like SuperSports
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