Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction vs. Villarreal for LaLiga’s Matchday 24

CM Toni Kroos

Though I would actually not mind a curveball from Carlo here and a start for the impressive Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos is too important to rest. Villarreal are sixth in LaLiga now, having just beat Real Betis 2-0 last weekend. And they are in the Champions League knockouts for a reason. This is not a team Real Madrid will want to underrate, so they do need Kroos and his cruise control of the midfield out there.

Kroos’ class on the ball will be especially key against this exact opponent on the road. Unai Emery knows how to deal with Los Blancos, and he has one of the best players in the entire league at his disposal in Dani Parejo. Outside of Madrid’s group, he just may be the best midfielder in LaLiga.

DM Casemiro

A must-start for Real Madrid, Casemiro is not having a perfect season, but his importance remains high to this club. Casemiro will have to do plenty of helping out against the forwards of Villarreal’s top two, though Emery will throw plenty at the veteran defensive midfielder, looking to force the three-peat star into mistakes.

CM Fede Valverde

Carlo Ancelotti seems intent on starting his “Holy Trinity” together in every big game, including Tuesday’s Champions League tilt at the Parc des Princes. And who could blame him? They are the best of the generation for a reason.

So if Carlo wants to start Luka Modric on Tuesday over Fede Valverde, then he 100 percent needs to give Lukita the extra rest. Modric has been fantastic this season and was the team’s best player in January. But he has looked tired these last two games. Meanwhile, Fede is in desperate need of minutes and showed he belongs in starting XI more often after changing the game off the bench against Granada.