Overview
- Kickoff is set for Saturday at 21:00 CEST (3:00 p.m. ET) at the Santiago Bernabéu in LaLiga Matchweek 8.
- It is 2nd versus 3rd in the table with Real Madrid on 18 points and Villarreal on 16, adding early-season stakes to the matchup.
- Real Madrid are without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger through injury, with multiple outlets expecting Éder Militão to return.
- Villarreal list Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala, Juan Foyth and Pau Cabanes as out, with attackers Ayoze Pérez and Gerard Moreno described as doubtful.
- U.S. streaming is on the ESPN App/ESPN+, and UK coverage is listed on Disney+; media projections point to a possible Madrid back three with Aurélien Tchouaméni dropping into defense and Kylian Mbappé partnering Vinícius Júnior up front, though official XIs will be confirmed at kickoff.