Real Madrid vs Villarreal
LaLiga 2018-19
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Kick-off: 3:15pm BST
Real Madrid will hope to bounce back from an embarrassing defeat to relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano when they host Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.
An experimental Los Blancos side lost to a team sitting at the foot of LaLiga for the first time in 15 years at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas last weekend thanks to Adrian Embarba's first-half penalty awarded by VAR.
Such a result only further increased the sense of disillusionment with this current Real Madrid squad, who have now lost 16 games across all competitions this term and 10 in the league.
Gareth Bale is among those left out of the squad today - but the return of 18-year-old Vinicius Jnr could provide the lift Los Blancos need to finish the season in style.
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Real Madrid team news and predicted line-up
With no trophies to compete for and a massive summer overhaul on the horizon, Zidane has been free to tinker with certain aspects of his line-ups of late as he looks to ascertain which players have a long-term future at the club.
Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Odriozola remain sidelined, while Karim Benzema - the only Real Madrid player to score in April - is not expected to feature despite returning to training following a hamstring injury.
However, Vinicius Jr is now said to be ready to start after recovering fully from torn ankle ligaments.
Real Madrid possible XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Vallejo, Marcelo, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Isco, Vinicius, Mariano
Score prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Villarreal
Lacklustre Real Madrid have failed to score in back-to-back games against Getafe and Rayo Vallecano and will likely be watched by a very sparse crowd indeed at the Bernabeu this weekend.
It feels very much as if there has never been a better time to face the 13-time European champions as they limp towards their inevitably expensive renovation, so it would not be a surprise to see Villarreal nick a point.
They did just that in early January, when a Santi Cazorla brace cancelled out efforts from Benzema and Raphael Varane in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
TV channel and live stream online coverage
Fans can watch the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as Android mobile.
