Overview

• Kickoff is at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday evening in Spain, with U.S. streaming on the ESPN app (no English-language TV broadcast).
• Real Madrid remain without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger, while Éder Militão is available following an ankle knock.
• Reports indicate Alonso could tweak the shape, with Aurelien Tchouameni dropping into a back line and some outlets suggesting Jude Bellingham may be left out, though others predict he starts.
• Villarreal travel third in the table and short-handed, with Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala, Juan Foyth and Pau Cabanes ruled out and Ayoze Pérez and Gerard Moreno doubtful.
• Form and expectations: Madrid seek a response after a 5-2 derby loss but come off a 5-0 Champions League win, Villarreal drew 2-2 with Juventus and have three straight league wins, and betting tips broadly favor a home win; historically, Madrid lead the series with 30 wins in 53 meetings.