Real Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they take on Villarreal in their penultimate match of 2023.

Los Blancos, who are second in the La Liga table, were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis last weekend, while Villarreal suffered a 3-0 home loss to Real Sociedad in their last outing in the league.

Match preview

Real Madrid have been hit with a number of injuries to key players in recent weeks, but they have impressively kept picking up strong results, with the team still only losing once this season, which came away to Atletico Madrid towards the end of September.

Carlo Ancelotti's side cruised into the knockout round of the Champions League as Group C winners, making it six wins from six matches courtesy of a 3-2 success over Union Berlin in Germany earlier this week.

Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis in the league last weekend, though, with the result leaving them second in the table on 39 points, two points behind leaders Girona, who are having a quite extraordinary campaign.

Ancelotti's team have won 12, drawn three and lost one of their 16 league games this season, and they have the best defensive record, conceding just 10 times, which is even more impressive considering that number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and first-choice centre-back Eder Militao have been out since August.

Real Madrid will be targeting wins over Villarreal and Alaves in their final two fixtures of 2023, and they should then be boosted by the return of some key players from injury in January, which would put them in a perfect position to battle for success in the second half of the campaign.

Villarreal have actually won their last two La Liga meetings with Real Madrid, recording a 3-2 success at Bernabeu last season, with their last loss to Los Blancos coming in May 2021.

The Yellow Submarine should therefore enter this match full of confidence, but they were beaten 3-0 at home by Real Sociedad in the league last weekend, and an inconsistent campaign has left them own in 13th position in the table, picking up just 16 points from 16 matches.

Marcelino's side are already 18 points off fourth-placed Barcelona, while they sit 13 off the top six, suggesting that it could be very difficult to secure European football for the 2023-24 campaign.

However, Villarreal have managed to progress to the last-16 stage of the Europa League, winning Group F on 13 points courtesy of a 3-2 success over Rennes on Thursday night.

El Submarino Amarillo were fifth in Spain's top flight last season and have not finished lower than seventh since the 2018-19 campaign, but it does appear that they will need to win the Europa League this season in order to secure European action for next term, unless their league form drastically improves.

Team News

Real Madrid are set to be boosted by the return of Aurelien Tchouameni, with the Frenchman back in the squad after making a rapid recovery from a fractured foot.

However, Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Militao and Courtois remain on the sidelines for the capital outfit.

There will be changes from the side that started in the Champions League against Union Berlin, with Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy among those expected to return.

Joselu is likely to keep his spot due to his brace in the team's last match, while Lucas Vazquez should continue at right-back in the absence of Carvajal, who might be available for the next clash.

As for Villarreal, Santi Comesana, Aissa Mandi, Yeremi Pino and Denis Suarez are unavailable for selection due to fitness problems.

Alexander Sorloth came back into the starting side in the Europa League on Thursday, and he is again expected to be given the nod in the final third of the field alongside Gerard Moreno, with Ilias Akhomach also potentially being handed a start.

Head coach Marcelino is likely to call upon the experience of Dani Parejo and Etienne Capoue in midfield, while Adria Alti, who has been used in a number of positions in recent matches, could potentially play at left-back.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu

Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Jorgensen; Foyth, Albiol, Gabbia, Alti; Capoue, Parejo, Baena; Akhomach, Sorloth, G Moreno

We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal

Villarreal's league form this season has been disappointing, but they are more than capable of making this a very tricky match for Real Madrid. The hosts might have to suffer on Sunday, but we are expecting them to navigate their way to what would be a hugely important three points in terms of the title race.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Previews by email