Villarreal FC vs Real Madrid – Betting Preview
Prior to travelling to Celta Vigo, Villarreal began a remarkable seven-game winning streak in both competitive and non-competitive games.
However, despite Gerard Moreno breaking the score with only 15 minutes remaining, Villarreal was unable to extend their winning streak to eight games.
Villarreal Preview
However, there has been much to like about Villarreal since Setien succeeded Unai Emery, and regaining their rightful place in the Champions League is no longer an impossibility. Jorgen Strand Larsen came off the bench to level for Celta Vigo in the second half.
In fact, Villarreal is comfortably positioned in fifth place in the La Liga standings, one goal behind fellow 28-pointers Real Betis in sixth place (and only one goal behind fourth-place Atletico Madrid on goal differential).
The top-four race is temporarily put on hold as Villarreal tries to advance to the quarterfinals of the competition for the third time in four years. Villarreal has already defeated FC Cartagena, Santa Amalia, and Guijuelo this year.
The Yellow Submarine haven’t advanced past the eighth round of the competition since losing to Barcelona in the semi-finals of the 2014–15 season, but the Ceramica team is overdue for its first-ever domestic trophy.
Real Madrid Preview
Carlo Ancelotti was left to lament defensive shortcomings as Barcelona won the Supercopa de Espaa in Riyadh. Real Madrid travel to a team that has failed to keep a single clean sheet since domestic football resumed after the World Cup.
Before assisting Robert Lewandowski and Pedri either side of the half, Gavi calmly slotted home the game’s first goal. Karim Benzema’s response with just a few seconds left offered little solace for the capital giants.
Second-placed Real Madrid, who are also attempting to catch up to La Blaugrana in the battle for the La Liga championship, have three points to make up to Barcelona and have a particularly difficult schedule ahead of them that includes games against Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, and Valencia.
Real Madrid defeated Cacereno 1-0 in the final round of the Copa del Rey, which they haven’t won since 2014. Since their last victory in the domestic competition nine years ago, Los Blancos have lost four quarterfinal matches.
Even though they were defeated 2-1 by Villarreal at La Ceramica on January 7, Real Madrid hasn’t been eliminated in the round of 16, and jet lag won’t help the visitors at the fortress of the Yellow Submarine since their last season as champions in 2014–15.
1×2 Betting Odds
Lightning could strike twice this week at La Ceramica because many members of Ancelotti’s first team are struggling, some are injured, and nearly everyone is still recovering from a taxing trip to the Super Cup in the middle of the season.
Although Villarreal’s defensive weaknesses and physical problems should give Los Blancos hope!
And the market also tells us that Real Madrid has more than hope. They have numbers backing!
Villarreal, who will play at home are the not the favourites in the eyes of the market because their market odds stand @ 3.04.
The last time Real Madrid won this competition was back in 2014, and their chances here of making the quarter finals makes them the favourites @ 2.43.
The possibility that this round of 16 bout ends in a stalemate after 90 mins are played stands @ 3.84.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.72.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.38.
Real Madrid are the favourites to win this, but they have many key players out due to injury and rest!
Despite that, expect Real Madrid to win, but also expect Villareal to cause some real trouble!
