Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Villarreal | La Liga MD8 | OneFootball

Real Madrid made a long and tiring journey to Kazakhstan midweek where they took on Kairat Almaty on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League.

Having got the strenuous travel and time difference out of their systems, they now return home to take on Villarreal in La Liga this weekend and it is clear that they must bring their A game if they are to take anything from the game.

Los Blancos lost the lead in La Liga last weekend when they lost to Atletico Madrid in the derby and Barcelona won their clash against Real Sociedad. A win tomorrow will provisionally take Real Madrid back on top and put pressure on Barcelona who play later in the weekend.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Villarreal.

An opposition in great form

The Madrid derby brought Real Madrid face to face with an opponent who perfectly exploited the flaws in Xabi Alonso’s model, and it comes as no surprise that it was Atletico Madrid who had that capability in their squad.

Los Rojiblancos, however, are far from the most in-form team in Spain. In fact, they have been abysmal for most of the season compared to what was expected of them and sit fifth on the table with just three wins in seven games.

Placed ahead of them are the likes of Barcelona, Elche, and Villarreal – the third being the opposition they face this weekend on match day eight of La Liga.

Marcelino’s men have been on a great run of form this season and are in third place on the standings, just three points behind leaders Barcelona and two points behind Real Madrid.

So far, the Yellow Submarines have beaten Real Oviedo, Girona, Osasuna, Sevilla, and Athletic Club and their only defeat came against the only team Los Blancos have lost against – Atletico Madrid – albeit by just a 2-0 margin.

Villarreal have scored 13 goals and conceded just five so far this season when compared to Real Madrid’s 16 and eight, and it is clear that the hosts will face a massive challenge tomorrow. Their opponents, after all, are in fine form.

Eder Militao’s return

Militao is back. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Eder Militao missed Real Madrid’s trip to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty midweek after suffering a blow to his ankle against Atletico Madrid.

One week after his last appearance, he is now fully fit and back in the mix and can be expected to return to the starting lineup directly for the big game.

Against the Kazakh side midweek, it was David Alaba who partnered Dean Huijsen in defence. While the veteran did well, it is clear that Alonso prefers Militao significantly and that his return to fitness will all but guarantee a starting role once more.

In fact, Villarreal’s attacking form this season demands that the Real Madrid manager put up his best defensive pairing on the night, and Militao will thus have little time to get back into his rhythm.

Tajon Buchanan, Nicolas Pepe, and Pape Gueye have all been in great goalscoring form for the Yellow Submarines, and a great part of the responsibility, thus, will lie with Militao and Huijsen on the night.

Given that the former is returning from injury, he will be under higher scrutiny.

A hiatus around the corner

The past two weeks have been hectic for Real Madrid with a game on their calendar roughly every three days.

It goes without saying that the rest of the season will largely look the same, especially as new competitions continually get added to the calendar. For now, however, there is a small break on the horizon.

With an international break coming up, Real Madrid will be out of action for 15 days after tomorrow’s clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. It may not be of any respite to those called up for national team duty, but it will come as a welcome development for other players.

Before the group disperses for the break, however, the manager and the dressing room will keep to get a win under their belt and thus sign off on a high.

After all, Real Madrid have massive fixtures coming up after the break including against Juventus, Barcelona, Getafe, and Liverpool and it is clear that keeping the momentum on their side at this stage is simply crucial.