Live on Skysports 1: Sun 18.00 & 20.00: Real Madrid are 1/3 (Betfred) to beat Villarreal; the latter are looking to upset the apple cart.
It’s second against third in La Liga this weekend as Real Madrid welcome resilient Villareal to the Bernabeu. Jose Mourinho’s side have lost just once this term, that 5-0 mauling at Barcelona while the visitors have tasted defeat just three times in their 17 games.
However, home advantage should prove crucial here as Villareal’s trio of losses all came on the road and the hosts have won eight from eight on their own patch, conceding just three goals in the process. Subsequently, a Real Madrid victory is the most likely outcome, however, at just 1/3 with Betfred, they aren’t exactly inviting and as in-form Cristiano Ronaldo also lacks appeal at just 1/2 (Stan James) to get on the scoresheet, it could be worth banking on a close encounter instead and tackling William Hill’s 3/1 for Mourinho’s troops to shade it by a solitary goal.
Levante beat Real Madrid 2-0 in midweek in the Copa del Rey but punters should read very little into that result given that the Granotes were already 8-0 down from the first leg. In the league Luis Garcia’s side are struggling and fourth-placed Valencia can ensure that continues by clinching the derby spoils as the pair face-off at the City of Valencia Stadium.
Los Che are 10/11 at Coral to get the better of their neighbours and as only Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet at Levante this season, Paddy Power’s 4/6 for both teams to score looks a banker.
Recommended Bets:
Real Madrid to beat Villareal by a one-goal margin – 3/1 (William Hill)
Valencia to beat Levante – 10/11 (Coral)
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