Real Madrid will play their first La Liga game of 2023 at the El Madrigal on Saturday (January 7) against Villarreal, hoping to keep the heat on leaders Barcelona. With 38 points from 15 games, the reigning champions are behind the Blaugrana on goal difference, with the latter’s 1-1 draw with Espanyol allowing Los Blancos to close the gap.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side started the New Year with a 1-0 defeat of Cacereno in the Round of 32 of the Copa Del Rey, courtesy of Rodrygo’s 69th-minute winner. It was their third straight win across competitions and would them in good stead ahead of a daunting clash with a bogey team.

Villarreal, meanwhile, are slowly adjusting to life without Unai Emery, who left the club for Aston Villa in October. Following his departure, the Yellow Submarine faltered, failing to win four games across competitions. However, five wins from their last five games have restored a semblance of normalcy.

Three of them came in the Copa Del Rey, including in their latest outing on Tuesday — a 5-1 demolition of Cartagena in the third round.

Match Details:

• Match: Villarreal vs Real Madrid
• Date: 7 January, 2023
• Time: 8:45 pm
• Venue: El Madrigal

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Prediction

Villarreal have been a thorn in Real Madrid’s flesh in recent years, holding them to several draws. The hosts are also riding a five-game winning streak.

Los Blancos run the risk of dropping points against the Yellow Submarine again, and a high-scoring draw could ensue.

Prediction: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid

𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘!

⚔️ @VillarrealCF vs @realmadrid
🏟 Estadio de la Ceramica.
⏱ 16:15 (Spanish time).
🏆 La Liga. pic.twitter.com/EqD6GclX49

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) January 6, 2023

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Head-To-Head

• In 42 previous meetings, Real Madrid lead 22-4.
• Madrid have won only three of their last eight games with the hosts, with the last two meetings being goalless draws.
• Villarreal haven’t beaten Madrid since a 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in January 2018.
• The hosts have not lost their first La Liga game of a year in the last 13 years since losing 1-0 to Real Madrid in 2009.
• Having lost 2-1 to Gefate last year, Madrid could lose their first La Liga game of a year in consecutive years for the first time since defeats in 1948 against Alcoyano and in 1949 to Barcelona.

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Live Stream Time

This match will start from 8:45 pm

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Date

This match will take place on 7 January, 2023

𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘!

⚔️ Villarreal CF vs Real Madrid
🏟 Estadio de la Ceramica.
⏱ 15:15 (GMT).
🏆 La Liga. pic.twitter.com/sSgRBwOGBT

— WORLD OF FOOTBALL ⚽️ (@worldofootball_) January 7, 2023

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Teams News

Villarreal will be missing Giovani Lo Celso on Saturday afternoon due to a hamstring problem, while Francis Coquelin is also a major doubt for the home side here.

There will be changes to the side that started in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, with Juan Foyth, Etienne Capoue, Samuel Chukwueze, Dani Parejo, Pau Torres, Alberto Moreno and Yeremi Pino all set to return.

However, there will be no Geronimo Rulli, who is on the verge of making the move to Ajax.

As a result, Pepe Reina is set to feature between the sticks for just the second time in La Liga this season.

As for Real Madrid, Mariano Diaz is again absent with an ankle issue, while Dani Carvajal is also out due to a minor issue, so Lucas Vazquez is in line to start at right-back, with Alvaro Odriozola also out of the squad.

There had been some fears over Thibaut Courtois’s availability, but the Belgium international is fit to start in goal for the Spanish and European champions.

JOUR DE MATCH !!
⚔️ @VillarrealCF vs @realmadrid
🏟 Estadio de la Ceramica.
⏱ 15:15 GMT
🏆 La Liga. pic.twitter.com/QcfunFzQsY

— Real Madrid 🇨🇮 (@RMadridCI) January 7, 2023

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Lineups

Villarreal:

Reina; Femenia, Foyth, P Torres, Moreno; Capoue, Parejo; Chukwueze, Baena, Pino; Danjuma

Real Madrid:

Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Odds

• Villarreal have not won any of their last nine games against Real Madrid in La Liga (D6 L3) since a 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in January 2018, with both of their most recent two matches finishing goalless. Against no opponent have they recorded three straight goalless draws in the competition.
• Villarreal have not lost their first La Liga game of a year in the last 13 years (W7 D6), winning the matches in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and last losing 0-1 to Real Madrid in 2009.

Villarreal vs Real Madrid!!

Who do you think will win? pic.twitter.com/jCv3JyX5Db

— Alhaji Halal Abdul 👳🌟 (@Just__Halal) January 6, 2023

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Stats

• Villarreal 26.36%
• Real Madrid 49.73%
• Draw 23.9%

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Tips

Tip 1 – Result: Draw

Tip 2 – Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5

Tip 3 – Both teams to score: Yes

Today's footy bet Sassuolo worst team in Serie A on away matches, juventus grinding out wins and Inter not let a goal in last 2 away games and dug in against Napoli for a big win, Villarreal have drawn last 5 home matches Vs Real Madrid those odds of 11/4 look huge as a single pic.twitter.com/5IVDwmZ0MU

— Rnrsportsbetting (@Rnrsports1973) January 7, 2023

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Betting Trends

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats, suggests the most likely outcome of this match is a Real Madrid win with a probability of 49.72%. A win for Villarreal has a probability of 26.36% and a draw has a probability of 23.9%.

The most likely scoreline for a Real Madrid win is 1-2 with a probability of 9.58%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome are 0-1 (9.54%) and 0-2 (8.14%). The likeliest Villarreal win is 2-1 (6.62%), while for a drawn scoreline it is 1-1 (11.23%).

Prediksi Villarreal vs Real Madrid 7 Januari 2023 https://t.co/wSk9NX5MLd

— Bola (@Bolanet) January 6, 2023

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Where To Watch Live Spanish LaLiga 2023 Today Match

• TV channel: In the UK, Manchester United vs Everton will be televised live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 7.30pm.
• Live stream: Fans can also catch the game live online via the ITVX website and app.

Villarreal vs Real Madrid Who Will Win

Villarreal vs Real Madrid a great match to watch, Villarreal Will Win.