Overview

• The LaLiga match is scheduled for October 4 at the Santiago Bernabéu with kickoff at 8 p.m. BST.
• Real Madrid sit second after a 5-2 derby defeat to Atlético Madrid ended their six-match league winning run.
• Previews report four Real Madrid defenders are out — Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger — with a switch to a back three featuring Aurélien Tchouaméni suggested.
• Predicted XIs include Courtois; Militão, Huijsen, Tchouaméni; Valverde, Güler, Camavinga, Carreras; Bellingham; Vinícius, Mbappé for Real, and Junior; Mouriño, Veiga, Marín, S. Cardona; Akhomach, Partey, Gueye, Moleiro; Mikautadze, Pépé for Villarreal.
• Villarreal arrive third on a positive run, with injuries or doubts listed for Logan Costa, Pau Cabanes, Willy Kambwala, Juan Foyth, Ayoze Pérez and Gerard Moreno, and Real hold a 30–6 head-to-head edge overall with 18 wins in 26 at the Bernabéu.