The Santiago Bernabeu will host one of the standout fixtures of gameweek eight of La Liga on Saturday evening (20:00 BST), as Real Madrid look to respond after their shock humiliation in the Madrid Derby. 

Xabi Alonso’s side were swept aside 5-2 by Atletico last weekend, a result that saw them surrender their perfect start to the campaign and slip a point behind Barcelona at the summit. 

Villarreal, sitting third in the table and enjoying a fine run of form, will sense an opportunity to pile on further pressure.

Team form 

Real Madrid had been faultless under Alonso before last weekend’s derby defeat, chalking up six wins from six to sit top of La Liga. They brushed aside Osasuna, Oviedo, Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Espanyol and Levante with relative ease, scoring freely and looking solid at the back. 

But everything unravelled at the Metropolitano, as Simeone’s men capitalised on defensive frailties to run riot. The priority now for Alonso is an immediate response. Anything less than three points here would deepen the wounds of last weekend.

Villarreal have quietly put together an impressive start to their campaign. Marcelino’s side began with victories over Oviedo and Girona, the latter an emphatic 5-0 win, before dropping points against Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid. 

Since then, however, they’ve rediscovered their rhythm with three straight wins against Osasuna, Athletic Bilbao and Athletic Club. That streak has lifted them into third, though the trip to the Bernabeu will undoubtedly be their sternest test yet.

Head-to-head

Real Madrid have traditionally held the upper hand over Villarreal, boasting three wins, one draw and just one defeat in the last five meetings. Los Blancos won both league fixtures last season, and goals tend to flow when these sides meet. 

Three of the last five encounters have produced five or more strikes, while both teams have scored in four of the last five. Recent history suggests this clash could once again deliver in terms of entertainment.

Team news

Madrid’s defensive problems continue to mount. With Trent Alexander-Arnold already sidelined, Dani Carvajal limped out of last weekend’s derby with a calf injury that will keep him out for a month. That leaves Alonso alarmingly short at right-back. Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy are also unavailable. 

Villarreal arrive with their own absentees, though they are not as heavily impacted as Madrid. Defenders Logan Costa and Willy Kambwala remain on the treatment table, while Gerard Moreno and Ayoze Perez are also sidelined. 

Key stats

• Kylian Mbappe has eight goals and one assist in seven La Liga appearances this season.

• Turkish sensation Arda Guler has three goals and three assists in seven league matches for Madrid.

• Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe has contributed two goals and one assist for Villarreal so far.

• Villarreal have conceded just five goals in La Liga this season, which is the joint-best record alongside Barcelona.

Prediction 

Real Madrid will be hurting after their derby collapse, and Alonso will demand a strong response from his players in front of their home fans. Villarreal’s defensive solidity has been impressive, and they will not make things easy, but history suggests this fixture rarely passes quietly. Expect the visitors to test Madrid’s reshuffled backline, but Los Blancos’ attacking talent should see them return to winning ways.