Real Madrid vs Villarreal: La Liga preview, predictions, team news and TV info

Real Madrid host Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday night at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, aiming for a fifth consecutive win against the visitors. José Mourinho's side sits fourth in the table with 15 points from seven matches, trailing league leaders Barcelona. Meanwhile, Iñigo Pérez's Villarreal side enters the fixture in ninth place following consecutive victories against Málaga and Levante.

Real Madrid face defensive shortages, with Dean Huijsen suspended and Ibrahima Konaté, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, and Raúl Asencio injured. Kylian Mbappé has returned to training after a hamstring problem and is expected to be available. For Villarreal, Georges Mikautadze could start in attack following his recent goal against Levante, while the writer predicts a 3-1 victory for Real Madrid.