Real Madrid will be out to make amends from that painful 5–2 thrashing against Atlético Madrid when they host Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu on October 4, 2025, a fixture that could shape the early title race. The defeat to their city rivals knocked them off the top of La Liga, now occupied by Barcelona, and has turned up the heat on Xabi Alonso’s men to respond big in front of their home crowd.
Currently second with 18 points from seven games, Madrid welcome a Villarreal side just behind on 16 points, full of confidence after a 2–2 Champions League draw with Juventus. The Yellow Submarine have been quietly excellent, showing improved structure under Marcelino, and could fancy their chances against a slightly wounded Real side.
Despite their superior record — six wins from the last eight league meetings — Madrid know Villarreal are no pushovers. Their last trip to the Bernabéu ended in a narrow 2–1 loss back in March, and with both teams scoring freely this season, another tight affair feels likely.
Team News
Madrid are sweating over Dani Carvajal, who’s set to miss around a month with a calf issue, while Éder Militão only just returned to full training and may not be risked.
That might see Aurélien Tchouaméni again drop into central defence, a move that’s worked in parts but still looks a bit makeshift, which might prompt Xabi Alonso to throw the Brazilian straight back in. Arda Güler, who’s been flying lately with assists in three straight games and a derby goal, should keep his place on the right.
Madrid uploaded a preparatory video on the team’s official X account, indicating the capital-based club’s readiness to fight for all three points.
Watch the video below:
For Villarreal, Juan Foyth is still out, and there might be some changes after their midweek European clash. Luiz Junior is tipped to start in goal, while Thomas Partey could step back into midfield for more control. Alberto Moleiro and Nicolas Pépé should continue to offer the spark up front, with Georges Mikautadze as the main striker.
Possible Lineups
Real Madrid (4–3–3):
Courtois; Militao, Huijsen, Tchouameni; Valverde, Guler, Camavinga, Carreras; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe
Villarreal (4–2–3–1):
Junior; Mourino, Veiga, Marin, S Cardona; Akhomach, Partey, Gueye, Moleiro; Mikautadze, Pepe
Madrid head into this one unbeaten in their last four meetings with Villarreal (three wins and a draw), and they’ve won five of the last seven encounters at the Bernabéu. They’ve been in wild scoring form too — every one of their last three games has seen at least five goals fly in. That attacking flair is great news for neutrals, though Xabi Alonso might be concerned about how easily his defence can be opened up.
Still, there’s a certain edge about this Madrid team. They rarely share points these days; none of their last 21 La Liga matches have ended level, which tells you they either go for broke or get burnt. Villarreal, though, come in red-hot, with three straight league wins, all by a single-goal margin. Their away form hasn’t been airtight, though, keeping just one clean sheet in nine on the road, and that could haunt them against Madrid’s firepower.
Arda Güler has quietly become one of Madrid’s brightest sparks, grabbing an assist in three consecutive games and netting in the derby. Curiously, all six of his competitive goals so far have come before half-time; maybe he prefers the early drama. For Villarreal, Georges Mikautadze has been pivotal lately, bagging an assist in their last away trip and scoring against Juventus midweek. Meanwhile, Nicolas Pépé’s directness keeps causing problems for defences, giving Villarreal some bite on the counter.
Softfootball’s Prediction
This feels like one of those games where Madrid’s pride might just push them over the line. Villarreal have been compact and organised, but their backline hasn’t faced an attack this sharp in a while. Expect moments where Villarreal threaten on the break, yet Mbappé’s and Vinicius’s individual quality could make all the difference under the Bernabéu lights.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Villarreal
Real Madrid are expected to take all three points, but don’t be surprised if it takes another late moment of magic to do it.
