La Liga: Zidane Aims to Sink Yellow Submarine!

Villarreal vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid heads to the province of Castillon on Sunday for a big La Liga clash against Villarreal; and Los Blancos need a win to regain some early season momentum.

A win and a draw isn’t a bad start, but should Zinedine Zidane’s team fail to take three points away from the Estadio de la Ceramica, then one win from three doesn’t sound quite so healthy.

Javier Calleja’s Villarreal had a difficult campaign in 2018/19, hovering around the drop zone but eventually finishing comfortably in 14^th. And with one point from their first two games the hosts will be keen to keep themselves away from danger zone.

Talking Points

Real can stay ahead of Barca with a win

The early La Liga 2019 results haven’t gone exactly as ZZ would want, but neither have they for their biggest rivals Barcelona. But after Barca’s season got off to a losing start, summer signing Antoine Griezmann announced himself at the Camp Nou with two goals and an assist as the Catalans destroyed Real Betis 5-2 last week. Only Sevilla and Atletico Madrid have won their two opening games, but the early La Liga 2019 betting odds have Barca as odds on favourites to retain the title with Los Blancos the biggest threat.

Real had a frustrating time last weekend when it took them 82 minutes to break Valladolid down at the Bernabeu, only to concede a goal with two minutes remaining. And now, as the Blaugrana plays on Saturday night and should win away to Osasuna, Los Blancos will need a win in Castillon to keep their noses in front.

Is Hazard ready to play?

Eden Hazard’s much trumpeted arrival at the Bernabeu has gone a little flat since he injured himself in the run-up to the opening fixture. That wasn’t great news amidst reports that the Belgian star had arrived for pre-season training overweight, so with him nearing fitness now, the Madrid fans will be desperate to see the lean and dynamic Hazard who dazzled the Premier League at Chelsea.

Real Madrid are expecting to see Eden Hazard bring his talent at La Liga — Eden Hazard already missed two games after suffering a thigh injury during pre-season

The club is hoping that both Hazard and Ferland Mendy may be able to play some part and make their league debuts for Real. But the injury to Hazard opened the door for Gareth Bale to get involved in the opening fixtures after a rather public spat with ZZ before the season started.

The Welsh winger could make his third start, and there is good news for Los Blancos as midfield star Luka Modric is available to return after suspension.

Moreno is Villarreal’s main man

Since his 18m Euro switch from Espanyol in 2018 centre forward Gerard Moreno has struggled to find his form, after a good scoring career in Barcelona. He only managed eight from 35 games last season and Calleja will be looking for more from his main striker this term. Moreno has started well, scoring in both fixtures so far, a 4-4 home draw with Granada and then a 1-2 reversal away to Levante. The Yellow Submarine dominated possession and the shot count in that game, but Moreno’s early strike came to nothing as his defence let him down.

It was rather the same story in the 4-4 draw with Granada. Captain Santi Cazorla opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Samuel Chukwuese was also on target alongside Moreno, but conceding four at home didn’t please the boss.

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La Liga

History

Villarreal came closest to La Liga glory in 2008 when they finished second in the table, eight points behind champions Real Madrid.

The Yellow Submarine is a fixture in the Primera Division, spending all but two of the last 20 seasons in the top flight. Over that period Villarreal has won just four of 38 against Real Madrid, but has shared the spoils on 12 occasions with Los Blancos coming out on top 22 times.

During 19 games at home Villarreal has won three, drawn seven and lost nine; last season drawing this fixture 2-2 while losing 3-2 at the Bernabeu.

Betting Tip

	Villarreal vs Real Madrid	First Half Over 1.50 Goals @ 2.11
	September 2, 03:00 (GMT+8)

All is not well at Real Madrid, with their new star injured, frustration in the transfer window, and a disappointing home draw last week, not to mention ZZ’s hopes that Bale would leave the club only four weeks ago!

A double chance on Villarreal or Draw at 1.84 might seem tempting in that case, but I have concerns over the hosts’ leaky defence.

Los Blancos are favourites, at 1.89 to win here at SBOBET with Villarreal at 3.65 and the draw at 3.75.

I think there will be goals, and Villarreal could well hit Los Blancos hard from the off, but equally, the visitors’ front men will fancy their chances.