On Thursday night, struggling Villarreal host European champions Real Madrid at the Estadio de la Ceramica, in a vital game at both ends of La Liga.
Villarreal have endured a nightmare campaign so far in the Spanish top-flight. The Yellow Submarine are currently third from bottom in La Liga, one point from safety.
The team’s early poor form saw head coach Javi Calleja replaced by former Getafe boss Luis Garcia early last month. The fact that the home side have not won a league game in ten illustrates just how poor the Yellow Submarine’s form has been of late.
Their recent games in the Spanish top-flight have at least been high scoring, though, as four of their last five league has seen over 2.5 goals scored.
Villarreal’s recent record at the Ceramica has not helped their cause, as a record of one home win in nine outings is a poor one. The fact that the home side has kept just one clean sheet in nine home games in La Liga has been a contributing factor in their struggles of late.
Real Madrid recently won the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, seeing off Kashima Antlers and Al Ain with ease. However, Los Blancos desperately need to make up ground on league leaders Barcelona, who are eight points clear of the fourth place European champions.
Santiago Solari’s team's most recent form in La Liga has been promising, with five wins from their last six matches, including their last three outings in the Spanish top-flight.
One negative for the visitors in La Liga of late has been their poor away form, as Los Blancos have won just twice in seven league games on their travels. Their recent away matches in the Spanish top-flight have been relatively high scoring, with three of their last four matches producing over 2.5 goals, though.
Forebet predicts that Real Madrid will continue their recent good form in La Liga by recording a victory in a high scoring encounter.