Real Madrid are aiming to win five successive matches against Villarreal for the first time since 2011, while the last nine encounters between these two clubs have produced 37 goals, meaning one is scored every 26 minutes on average.
So, ahead of this Sunday night La Liga clash at the Bernabéu, that promises to be a thriller, check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV guide.
Real Madrid vs Villarreal match info
- Date: Saturday 10 October 2026.
- Kick off times: 9pm (local) and 3pm (ET)
- Competition: La Liga matchday 8
- Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
- How to watch: ESPN+ (USA), Movistar+ (Spain) and Disney+ (UK).
How can I watch Real Madrid vs Villarreal?
Country | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
USA | ESPN+ |
Spain | Movistar+ |
UK & Ireland | Disney+ |
Canada | TSN Premium |
Australia, New Zealand and Arab world | beIN SPORTS |
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan & Portugal | DAZN |
Africa | SuperSport MáXimo |
South America | ESPN |
Mexico | Sky Sports |
Real Madrid vs Villarreal match preview
Real Madrid have some catching up to do in the La Liga title race, so can ill afford yet more dropped points when they returned to action on Saturday night. Three weeks ago, José Mourinho's team were controversially beaten 2-1 in the Madrid derby by Atlético at the Metropolitano. Dean Huijsen's red card was key, given that Atleti scored twice in six minutes straight after.
This means that los Blancos have won five and lost two in La Liga so far, also dramatically beaten in the last minute by Real Betis at the Cartuja; Kylian Mbappé seeing a stoppage time spot-kick saved in Sevilla. Thus, 15 points from seven matches, while not great, is far from catastrophic.
The problem for Mourinho though is that Barcelona have won seven out of seven, with los Merengues actually slipping down to fourth, also below Atleti and Betis. More broadly, having needed late goals to beat Espanyol and Elche, Real Madrid are yet to truly convince this season. Thus, those inside the Bernabéu may fear yet more dropped points on Saturday night.
As for Villarreal, after coming third last season, their highest finish since 2008, they endured a very slow start to this campaign. Iñigo Pérez failed to win any of his first six games in charge, concerningly enduring a four match losing streak, one that included their Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund.
However, just before the international break, el Submarino Amarillo crucially enjoyed back-to-back wins, beating Málaga at La Rosaleda, before a 3-1 home win over rivals Levante. Ayoze Pérez, Alberto Moleiro and then Georges Mikautadze the scorers at Estadio de la Cerámica.
All the underlying numbers suggest that Villarreal are far stronger than their current position of ninth in the table would indicate, very much forecast to be challenging for the top five once again. So, can the Yellow Submarine sink Mourniho's men in Madrid on Saturday night?
Real Madrid team news
Dean Huijsen's red card in the derby means he is suspended, leaving José Mourinho very short of defenders, given that Ibrahima Konaté, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Raúl Asencio are all injured. Thus, if Konaté is not available, Antonio Rüdiger's centre-back partner could be Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed for England during the international break, but Denzel Dumfries remains first-choice. The most important team news though is the availability of Kylain Mbappé. He picked up a hamstring injury in the act of scoring for France against Türkiye in İzmit, but has returned to training this week, so is forecast to be on the bench at least, if not starting.
Alongside, having found the net in Brisbane for Brazil, can under-fire Vinícius Júnior add to his solitary club goal this season, having previously scored five against Villarreal?
Villarreal team news
Georges Mikautadze's goal off the bench against Levante could earn him a start in attack. Meanwhile, Iñigo Pérez's Canadian trio of Nathan Saliba, Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi were all in Minnesota to face the U.S. as recently as Tuesday night, facing Alex Freeman, but are available for this one.
Predicted Line-ups
- Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois; Dumfries, Tchouaméni, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Silva, Bellingham; Güler, Vinícius, Mbappé.
- Villarreal predicted lineup: Gulácsi; Freeman; Navarro, Veiga, Cardona; Gueye, Saliba, Moleiro; Pépé, Buchanan, Mikautadze.
- Score prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal.
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