Overview

• Kickoff is set for 21:00 CET at the Santiago Bernabéu, with TV coverage on DAZN in Spain, ESPN/Disney+ across much of Latin America, Sky Sports in Mexico, and ESPN Deportes/Select in the United States.
• Real Madrid sit second on 18 points after a 5-2 derby defeat followed by a 5-0 Champions League win in Almaty, while Villarreal arrive third on 16 after three straight league victories and a 2-2 draw with Juventus.
• Kylian Mbappé enters on prolific form, including a midweek hat-trick and a season tally reported at 13 goals.
• Madrid’s back line remains depleted, with Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy ruled out and Éder Militão facing a late fitness call that shapes whether Fede Valverde plays in midfield or fills at right back.
• Alonso responded to Fede Valverde’s comments about fullback duties by stating no player has refused a role, seeking to refocus attention on collective performance.