Real Madrid could finish the La Liga season in second place with a win against Villarreal in their league finale. Real Madrid are just three points back of city rivals Atletico Madrid. A loss by the Mattress Makers and a Real Madrid win would make Los Blancos runners-up.
Madrid must meet Villarreal on Saturday night just one week before the club play Liverpool in the Champions League final. It will be a nervy eight days for the club. Manager Zinedine Zidane could rest Madrid's key players against Villarreal and concede second place to Atletico. Madrid are at least guaranteed third and a spot in the Champions League next term.
Zidane has received good news this week as both Cristiano Ronaldo and Dani Carvajal are back in training. The two may not feature at the weekend, however. It has been reported in Spain that the duo will be allowed to gain fitness in the days prior to the Champions League match as they recover from injury.
Ronaldo's absence could allow forward Gareth Bale to start the fixture. Bale is Madrid's second leading scorer behind Ronaldo. The Welshman has scored 15 La Liga goals this term despite constant rumours that he could leave this summer. A good performance from Bale may force Zidane to start him in the Champions League final.
The good news for Villarreal heading into Saturday's match is the Yellow Submarine's form against Madrid. Currently in fifth place, Villarreal defeated Madrid at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in January, 1-0. In their last six meetings, Villarreal have only lost twice, while winning twice and drawing a further two times.
One of the Yellow Submarine's strengths is its aggression. The team will get into the face of oppositions. However, Villarreal have had poor discipline at times this term. The club have been shown 105 yellow cards and six red cards. Javier Calleja's team rely on defence and have given up only 48 goals, which is seventh fewest in La Liga. Only +7 in goal difference, Calleja's attack hasn't scored many times. The club have recorded 55 goals.
Carlos Bacca is the club's leading scorer with 15 strikes. The Colombian has 10 more goals than Villarreal's second leading scorer. The last time the two clubs met, Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals scored the game's only goal in the 87th minute. He has just three this season.
Despite losing to Villarreal in the reverse fixture, Madrid will come through the season finale with flying colours. Los Blancos' match against Villarreal will be the perfect warm-up for the Champions League final. Madrid will win against Villarreal and have little trouble in doing so.