Look out for goals in Villarreal v Real Madrid
Villarreal take on Real Madrid in one of the most exciting Saturday afternoon encounters in Europe.
The Yellow Submarine are transitioning from the Unai Emery era into that of Quique Setien and will be hoping to spring a surprise against Carlo Ancelotti’s mightily good Galacticos.
The title race is building very nicely in La Liga, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona picking up 38 points from their opening 15 outings.
The visitors are still a little reliant on the old guard, but as the World Cup demonstrated, Aurelien Tchouameni is more than ready to step up and take on the mantle.
Process
The Galacticos have been excellent in the final third this season, not quite as good as Barcelona, according to expected goals (xG), but still very promising as far as their league title bid is concerned.
Real Madrid have scored 35 goals from 36.2 xGF, creating chances at 2.41 xGF per match, a process that will certainly worry the Villarreal backline.
The Yellow Submarine have scored just 17 goals from 15 league outings, underperforming considerably having created chances equating to 24.0 xGF over the course of the season so far.
The Galacticos have not been particularly watertight at the back, allowing 1.15 xGA per game, and for that reason a goal-laden game looks to be on the cards at Ciutat de Valencia.
Giovani Lo Celso is a doubt for Setien, but outside of the Argentinian both sides have a full squad to pick from.
The likes of Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde are still developing and taking on greater responsibility year by year, but Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema remains the key attacking player in Ancelotti’s side.
Goals?
The market is expecting goals, but I am happy to double up a goals angle to enhance the odds.
Villarreal have scored in six of ten.
Villarreal have conceded in eight of ten.
Villarreal have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Villarreal have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Real have scored in all of their last 23.
Real have conceded in eight of ten.
Real have seen both teams score in eight of ten.
Real have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-1 Villarreal, this one was in just after the hour mark.