Real Madrid without Mbappe against Submarine?

On Wednesday, Real Madrid's players went through huge struggles to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals. They had to play 120 minutes against city rivals Atletico Madrid and eventually eliminated them only after a penalty shootout. Just three days later, specifically 66 and a half hours later, the Royal Club faces another tough match, an away game against Villarreal in the 28th round of La Liga.

Real Madrid will play this today at 20.30 at one of the hottest away games. Traditionally, the "royal village" has not been favorable for Madrid, having won only once in the last eight matches in Villarreal. That victory came in the Copa del Rey, while they haven't won in La Liga there since February 2017. So, even if Carlo Ancelotti’s team wasn't exhausted, today's match wouldn't be easy. As it stands, the situation is even worse. Therefore, it will be interesting to see what lineup the Italian coach opts for.

What is certain is that due to Ferland Mendy's injury, Fran Garcia will have to step into his position. All other players are available, so it all depends on Ancelotti's thinking. Kylian Mbappe will most likely not play, at least not from the start. He injured his ankle, is not fully fit, and although he was named to the French national team for duties in the second half of March, he is expected to rest tonight.

The most common outcome in matches between these two teams in Villarreal is a draw. Nine out of the last 13 encounters ended without a winner. Last season, in May, we watched a spectacular match that finished 4-4. Real was leading 4-1 at halftime, but Villarreal came back in the second half to equalize with a hat-trick from Atletico Madrid's current striker, Alexander Sorloth.

The story is completely different when the game is played at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Real mostly collects points without much trouble. It was the same this season, in early October, when Madrid won 2-0 with goals from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Júnior.

LA LIGA MATCHDAY 28

Friday

Las Palmas - Alaves 2-2 (0-1)

/Silva 90 pen, Moleiro 90+5 - Martinez 7, Guridi 63/

Saturday

16:00: (5.30) Valladolid (3.60) Celta (1.70)

18:15: (1.85) Mallorca (3.40) Espanyol (4.60)

20:30: (3.15) Villareal (3.75) Real Madrid (2.15)

23:00: (2.05) Girona (3.50) Valencia (4.00)

Sunday

16:00: (3.80) Leganes (3.35) Betis (2.05)

18:15: (3.15) Sevilla (3.20) Ath.Bilbao (2.55)

20:30: (2.40) Osasuna (2.90) Getafe (3.45)

20:30: (2.55) Rayo Vallecano (3.15) Sociedad (3.20)

23:00: (3.30) Atl.Madrid (3.60) Barcelona (2.25)

***odds are subject to change***