How Motivated are Villarreal as They Visit the La Liga Champs?

Real Madrid vs Villarreal

The chances of retaining the La Liga title may be over but Real Madrid play to win and there will be no exception when Villarreal visit the Bernabeu on Easter Saturday night.

If you doubt that, incidentally, then don’t take my word for it.

Instead, take in the words of Richard Winton of BBC Sport who was at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night for the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against arch rivals Barcelona.

Trailing 1-0, they went to Catalonia and produced a second half showing with renewed energy and confidence, showing their class in a ruthless display for which Barca had no answer.

As Winton so eloquently put: ‘Barcelona might be cantering away with La Liga but they’ve been taught a lesson here. Real were quietly magnificent. Accomplished, ruthless, composed… all the things that their hosts weren’t. This is one they’ll talk of for a fair old while’.

And so against that backdrop, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be expected to deliver more La Liga highlights this weekend.

Talking Points

Certainly, they will want to seal the runners-up spot in the table as soon as possible, even if their main focus may now be on retaining their European crown.

For the hosts, left-back Férland Mendy is the only player who is unavailable and there could be a recall for centre back Antonio Rüdiger, who sat out the 6-0 win over Real Valladolid last weekend and was an unused substitute in the Copa del Rey clash.

One man who will surely lead the line is French forward Karim Benzema, fresh from an iconic moment as he became the first Real Madrid player to score a hat-trick against Barca since the great Ferenc Puskas in 1962/63.

So, what type of visitors will the reigning Spanish and European champions encounter?

Well, Quique Setién’s Villarreal have much to play for as they are currently in sixth place, just one point behind Real Betis and four behind Real Sociedad who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.

After being dumped out of the UEFA Conference League to Anderlecht last month, you would think they would rather be playing at a higher level of European competition next term.

After all, they are experienced heads as far as continental football is concerned, failing to qualify for a UEFA tournament only twice during the past two decades.

Europa League winners just two season ago, this contest will be a special one for former madridistas Raúl Albiol and Dani Parejo, who would relish the chance to put one over their old club.

Yet with a big gap between sixth and seventh, a return to Europe next term looks likely anyway so how motivated will they be to make the Champions League as opposed to the Europa League or Conference League.

How high are they setting their sights?

We are about to find out.

History

Of their 46 top flight meetings, Villarreal have only tasted victory on five occasions with 16 draws and 25 Real triumphs.

This corresponding fixture last term produced a goalless draw.

That was the last time they met in Madrid but have played three times since.

The return fixture last term also ended goalless and in January the ‘Yellow Submarine’ ran out 2-1 winners, a defeat which saw Real slip to second and proved to be a big blow in their defence of the La Liga title.

Real gained revenge just under a fortnight later in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup with a superb second half comeback.

Villarreal were comfortably the better team in the opening 45 minutes, but a more assured and assertive Los Blancos side were inspired by Dani Ceballos who grabbed a late winner in a 3-2 success.

Betting Tip

Real are clear favourites for victory ahead of their Champions League quarter-final (they will meet more English opponents Chelsea after swatting aside Liverpool in the last 16).

And while the title has realistically gone, they will not give up until it is mathematically impossible.

With the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds, you can back them to win 1X2 @ 1.50 and Asian Handicap @ -1.25 @ 2.13.

Villareal are priced 1X2 @ 5.40 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.38.

The 1X2 Draw will pay out @ 4.10, while a repeat of the goalless encounter from last season’s corresponding fixture is on offer @ 13.00 with Correct Score.

Goal options include Over 3.00 @ 2.14, Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.10, 2-3 @ 1.99 and 4-6 @ 2.96.

With Villarreal needing the points to boost their Champions League qualification aspirations, I do expect this to be close.

I think Real will edge it, however, and my *** tip is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 4.20.

 

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