Football
Villarreal vs Real Madrid Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: Saturday, March 15 2025 Kickoff Time: 17:30 GMT Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal Villarreal and Real Madrid are set to clash in the La Liga at Estadio de la Cerámica on Saturday, 15 March 2025. With Los Blancos chasing the title and the Yellow Submarine aiming to disrupt their momentum, expect a thrilling battle. La Liga betting fans can explore the latest odds and insights on our La Liga football betting page.
Jude Bellingham//Getty Images
Pre-Game Outlook: Real Madrid Eye Top Spot as Villarreal Chase European Ambitions
Villarreal will still consider themselves nailed on for European Champions League qualification, and if they are able to walk away from this tough ask against Real Madrid unscathed, they’ll be in the ‘pound seats’ with a game in hand to further close the gap.
For the away team, the job is straight forward. All three points are crucial to potentially gain the top spot in La Liga over rivals Barcelona. They have history on their side, winning 27, drawing 17 and losing just 60 of their 50 total encounters.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Real Madrid Favoured
Real Madrid: 1.925 (19/20) – 52.00%
Draw: 4.055 (61/20) – 24.67%
Villarreal: 4.01 (3/1) – 24.93%
*Odds courtesy of 1xBet, subject to change.
Head-to-Head Record
Last Five Meetings (All Competitions):
05/10/24: Real Madrid 2-0 Villarreal
19/05/24: Villarreal 4-4 Real Madrid
17/12/23: Real Madrid 4-1 Villarreal
08/04/23: Real Madrid 2-3 Villarreal
19/01/23: Villarreal 2-3 Real Madrid
Villarreal: Current Form – LWDWW
Villarreal’s form of late has been questionable. Their actual performances are what gives confidence to the push for European qualification. Having started to reel in the leash on that number four spot with a game in hand, it is not difficult to suggest that they can find some success in such a massive encounter.
Granted, one should never count their chickens before they hatch – especially when Real Madrid are the challenge in front of you. Football betting bookmakers are beginning to tip the hosts to run away with it given their next few fixtures, but stranger things have happened in the league.
Key Players to Watch
- Álex Baena: In midfield Baena has been instrumental in his side’s attack. Besides his overall teamplay, his individual goal contribution can cause issues for any attack, already on six goals for the season plus his seven assists prop him up among the best this season.
- Thierno Barry: Since joining at the start of the season Barry has adapted quite fast to the demands of La Liga. The massive French forward offers so much in the air scoring eight goals already in his debut season.
- Ayoze Perez: 14 goals in 21 fixtures across all competitions makes the 31-year-old who just joined from Real Betis an amazing acquisition for the season.
Villarreal Team News
Kiko Femenia remains a doubt due to an upper back issue, while Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach will be unavailable for selection due to injury problems, alongside goalkeeper Diego Conde, who has a grade II sprain of the MCL, and left-back Alfonso Pedraza who was supposed to be assessed early February, but we have yet to see any news on the issue.
Real Madrid: Current Form – WWLWW
Real Madrid have been in incredible form! They have firmly tightened their grip on first placed Barcelona with the two separated by just goal difference. Just a few gameweeks ago it was difficult to see where or how another side could hurt Barcelona’s foothold, but if there’s one team that does not know when to quit, its Real Madrid.
Key Players to Watch
- Vinicius Junior: Arguably one of the best players in the world, Vinicius has been a key performer for Madrid this season. The Brazilian scored an absolute ‘worldy’ last weekend against Rayo Vallecano, which proved the winning goal after the final whistle blew.
- Kylian Mbappe: Mbappe’s big-time transfer has certainly paid its dues already. The Frenchman has been their best player this campaign and has 32 goal contributions in 41 appearances across all comps this season.
- Jude Bellingham: The young man with an engine for two does all the work required to allow those two superstars to do what they do best upfront.
Real Madrid Team News
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Antonio Rüdiger have returned to training after missing the recent match against Rayo Vallecano and should both be available for selection. Midfielder Jude Bellingham was substituted due to a knee knock in the last game, but coach Carlo Ancelotti has indicated it's not serious.
Predicted Line-Up
Villarreal, 4-3-3: Conde; Femenía, Bailly, Costa, S. Cardona; Akhomach, Parejo, Gueye, Baena; Pépé, Barry.
Real Madrid, 4-3-3: Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Modrić; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior.
Suggested Bets
Draw: Villarreal enter this one on the back of their first loss in six fixtures. They should be more than capable of securing a point. (3/1 (4.00) – 25.00%)
Over 2.5 Goals: Villarreal will want to keep this a low-scoring affair, but the firepower from Real Madrid will open the flood gates and force The Yellow Submarine to search for a response. 50/29 (1.72) – 58.00%
Value Bets
Kylian Mbappe Anytime Goalscorer: The Real Madrid frontline is so stacked, and Kylian Mbappe still finds a way to put himself on the scoresheet. Back him to score anytime. (6/5 (2.20) – 45.45%)
Real Madrid to Score in Both Halves: With pressure being applied against a defensive-minded Villarreal, Real Madrid should rack enough chances to find the back of the net in both halves. (5/2 (2.50) – 40.00%)
Double Chance (Villarreal or Draw): The home side must get a positive result or risk having to claw back too many points over the final hurdle of the season, even though they have a game in hand. (100/57 (1.75) – 57.00%)
Prediction: Real Madrid win
Real Madrid has been consistent of late, and while their results aren’t always convincing. Los Blancos always have enough quality in their squad to get the job done!
Joshua Gaillard is a freelance editor and dedicated Arsenal fan, known for creating fact-based, insightful content. His work, featured on top South African websites, blends analysis with engaging storytelling for clear, impactful articles.
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