Wednesday saw Real Madrid lose at Valencia and another defeat to Villarreal on Sunday evening could have a huge impact on the title race.
Emotionally the defeat at Mestalla has given Madrid's title rivals Barcelona a big boost just when they needed it, and Los Blancos will hope to bounce back at one of La Liga's toughest grounds.
What has made trips to the Estadio de la Ceramica so tough this season has been Villarreal's defence, with Fran Escriba instilling a rigid solidity at the back. Indeed, the Yellow Submarine boast the best defensive record in the Spanish top flight while in Sergio Ansejo they have a strong claim to the most in-form goalkeeper in La Liga.
GettyA tough evening no doubt awaits Zinedine Zidane's men, although Betfair make the visitors clear favorites at 4/6 (1.65) . The hosts for their part can be backed at 4/1 (5.00) to make it back-to-back defeats for Madrid, with the draw offered at 11/4 (3.75) . Villarreal managed to hold Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu earlier this season while Los Blancos' visit to the province of Castellon last season saw them defeated 1-0.
Games between these two teams tend to be tight, and it is perhaps surprising to find under 2.5 goals offered as big as 5/4 (2.25) .
Villarreal have kept 11 clean sheets in La Liga this season, and their home game against Barcelona at the start of the year ended in a 1-1 draw. Madrid are not firing on all cylinders with their only win their last four away league games coming at bottom side Osasuna.
There is little chance of the European champions recording a high scoring win as they have done at the likes of Alaves or Real Betis, and backing under 2.5 goals in the game seems like a solid option, one which has paid out in four of the last five meetings between these two sides.
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Under 2.5 goals at 5/4 (2.25) for a 1.5pt stake with Betfair Sportsbook |
