Villarreal vs Real Madrid: Predicted Lineups for LaLiga Matchday 21
Real Madrid is set to face Villarreal in a crucial match on January 24, 2026, at La Cerámica. This encounter marks LaLiga Matchday 21 and is pivotal as Real Madrid seeks to close the gap with Barcelona, who leads the league by just one point.
Match Overview
The stakes are high for Real Madrid following their impressive performance against Monaco, where they won 6-1. They need to confirm their progress in LaLiga against Villarreal, who currently sits third in the standings after a strong first half of the season. The Yellow Submarine will be looking to bounce back from recent setbacks, including a painful defeat to Betis and a loss to Ajax in the Champions League.
Current Team Status
Villarreal will be without midfielder Santi Comesaña due to a recent red card. Their lineup has faced challenges, but they remain a potent team at home.
Real Madrid’s manager Álvaro Arbeloa will welcome back Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz for this match. However, they continue to deal with injuries to key players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, and Éder Militão. Additionally, Tchouameni is suspended, affecting the midfield depth.
Kick-off Details
- Date: January 24, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 14:00 CDMX / 15:00 ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN Deportes in the United States, Sky Sports in Mexico
- Venue: Estadio de La Cerámica
Predicted Lineups
| Villarreal | Real Madrid |
|---|---|
| Luiz Junior | Thibaut Courtois |
| Pau Navarro | Federico Valverde |
| Juan Foyth | Raul Asencio |
| Renato Veiga | Dean Huijsen |
| Alfonso Pedraza | Álvaro Carreras |
| Dani Parejo | Eduardo Camavinga |
| Pape Gueye | Arda Güler |
| Alberto Moleiro | Jude Bellingham |
| Tajon Buchanan | Franco Mastantuono |
| Gerard Moreno | Kylian Mbappé |
| Georges Mikautadze | Vinícius |
This match will be critical as both teams fight for dominance in LaLiga. Fans can expect an intense showdown in Villarreal’s home ground.
