Real Madrid will warm up for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final with Chelsea by taking on Villarreal.
Los Blancos’ La Liga crown is slipping away with Barcelona now 12 points clear of their Clasico rivals with only 11 games to go.
That said, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have found their footing again recently, smashing Barça 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey days after hammering Real Valladolid 6-0.
Villarreal head to the capital looking to force their way back into the top-four picture, sitting just four points adrift of a Champions League spot.
Real Madrid team news
While Ferland Mendy is Real Madrid’s only injury concern, Ancelotti is expected to make some changes to his side ahead of their Champions League showdown with Chelsea.
Luka Modric is expected to be rested, while Nacho Fernandez and Antonio Rudiger will be vying to win back a place in defence following Eduardo Camavinga’s impressing showing at left-back on Wednesday.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3):
Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Alaba, Rudiger; Tchouameni, Valverde, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
Villarreal team news
Unlike Ancelotti, Quique Setien has a few selection headaches to contend with.
Nicolas Jackson is serving a suspension, while Gerard Romero and Etienne Capoue are doubts to return from respective muscle injuries in time for this match.
Francis Coquelin will not return from an ACL injury until next season.
Villarreal predicted lineup (4-3-3):
Reina; Foyth, Mandi, Torres, Pedraza; Parejo, Lo Celso, Baena; Chukwueze, Morales, Pino
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