We have three fixtures to enjoy in the Spanish topflight on the 7th of January, beginning with the meeting between Villarreal and Real Madrid.
The game will be played at the Estadio de la Cerámica and the hosts begin the weekend in 7th place on 24 points while the visitors are top of the table on 38 points.
🤜 ⚽ 🤛 pic.twitter.com/1WQnG9Fipp— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 4, 2023
🤜 ⚽ 🤛 pic.twitter.com/1WQnG9Fipp
Villarreal come into the game on the back of a good 5-1 win at FC Cartagena in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night.
Having fallen a goal behind shortly before half time, Villarreal came out strongly in the second half and blew away the hosts, scoring 5 goals without reply, 3 of which came inside the first 15 minutes of the second period.
That result means Villarreal are undefeated in their last 5 competitive fixtures. There have been wins over Santa Amalia, Guijuelo, and FC Cartagena in the Copa del Rey plus Espanyol away and Valencia at home in La Liga.
In terms of the league, Villarreal have won each of their last 2 matches but have recorded only 3 wins from their last 11 La Liga fixtures.
However, they have proven difficult to beat in recent home league games and Villarreal are undefeated in 16 of their last 18 La Liga matches on home soil.
Trends show both teams have scored in 6 of their 10 most recent home league games.
Real Madrid travel to the Estadio de la Cerámica having beat Cacereño 1-0 away in the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid would have hoped to win the game more comfortably against lower league opposition but were forced to settle for just a single goal which came in the 69th minute.
Real Madrid have won 4 of their last 5 games in all competitions. In addition to the win in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid have beat Cadiz at home and Real Valladolid away in La Liga plus Celtic at home in the Champions League.
The only defeat came away to local rivals Rayo Vallecano in La Liga and the match ended 3-2.
Trends show Real Madrid have not lost in 25 of their last 27 matches in all competitions. Their away form in the league shows 7 wins from their last 8 games and Real Madrid have scored 2 or more goals in 11 of their last 14 away La Liga matches.
Team news and Villarreal could be without midfielder Giovani Lo Celso who has a hamstring problem. Every other player should be available for the hosts.
Real Madrid have doubts over the fitness of Thibaut Courtois, Daniel Carvajal, and Mariano Diaz.
This will be a difficult game for Real Madrid and Villarreal are not easy to beat on home soil. We expect to see both teams score in this game but Real Madrid are in good form on the road in La Liga and should come out on top, winning by a single goal margin.