Mbappe Returns as Real Madrid Hosts In-Form Villarreal: Can Los Blancos Close the Gap on Barcelona?

Real Madrid are aiming to close the gap on Clasico rivals Barcelona on Saturday when they face Villarreal in La Liga.

Los Blancos had made an unbeaten start to the new season until a surprise defeat to French outfit Lille in the Champions League midweek. Even the introduction of Kylian Mbappe off the bench couldn't prevent them from slumping to a 1-0 loss.

However, the reigning Spanish and European champions remain unbeaten in La Liga after an eventful Madrid derby with neighbours Atletico last weekend. A 95th-minute equaliser from Angel Correa stopped Carlo Ancelotti's side from taking full advantage of Barcelona's eye-catching 4-2 defeat to Osasuna.

Villarreal are certain to pose Madrid a tough challenge on Saturday night given they currently sit third in the table and just a point off Los Blancos. Marcelino's side have won five of their opening eight La Liga matches, with only table-toppers Barca scoring more than them.

Here is 90min's guide to Real Madrid's weekend clash.

The Key Battle

Real Madrid's midfield will be tested by the likes of Dani Parejo and Álex Baena, with the Yellow Submarine's midfielders capable of dictating the tempo of the game.

Team News

Mbappe returned sooner than expected against Lille but that's where the good news stops for Ancelotti. He remains without David Alaba, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz and others have filled up the treatment room in recent weeks.

Thibaut Courtois missed the defeat to Lille and will be replaced by Andriy Lunin again on Saturday. Eder Militao, who scored in last weekend's Madrid derby, is also a doubt after being withdrawn in the second half on Wednesday with a thigh issue.

Rodrygo was also an absentee for the trip to France midweek but should be fit to feature from the start this weekend. Mbappe should replace Endrick up front and Aurelien Tchouameni may plug the gap in defence if Militao is sidelined.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Villarreal (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.

Villarreal could well be without their top scorer on Saturday, with Ayoze Perez expected to miss the trip to Madrid. He's scored six goals already this term while partnering Thierno Barry but is likely to be sidelined with a muscle problem.

Denis Suarez is also a doubt for the weekend and will join Gerard Moreno, Willy Kambwala, Alfonso Pedraza and Juan Foyth on the sidelines if he misses out.

Villarreal are without Alexander Sorloth for this one following his move to Atletico Madrid over the summer, with the Norwegian having scored four times for the Yellow Submarine in a 4-4 draw with Madrid last season.

Villarreal predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2): Conde; Femenia, Bailly, Costa, Cardona; Akhomach, Parejo, Gueye, Baena; Pepe, Barry.

Recent Meetings

These two sides have clashed five times over the past two seasons, combining for 26 goals in those meetings. There was a 4-4 draw and 4-1 victory for Madrid last season, while Villarreal managed a 3-2 win at the Bernabeu in 2022/23.

Prediction

Villarreal may have scored 17 times in their opening eight matches but only bottom two Real Valladolid and Las Palmas have conceded more than them. Madrid's immense attacking firepower should get some joy against Marcelino's men in what promises to be a thriller.