"Starting with the hosts, while Villarreal might open this weekend's fixtures sat in bronze medal position, the Yellow Submarine find themselves at the heart of a recent rut. Suffering another public Champions League collapse earlier in the week as they eventually fell to a 2-1 loss at home against Ajax, Marcelino's men will be bracing themselves for another monumental challenge here."
"All still dealing with respective knee injuries, Villarreal will once again be unable to call upon the trio of Logan Costa, Pau Cabanes and Argentinian youngster Thiago Fernandez. However, bagging the winner as Senegal were crowned AFCON champions last weekend, Papa Gueye will make a first La Liga appearance since the end of November. Completing a summer switch from Lyon and notching five domestic strikes this season, Georgian international Georges Mikautadze should be handed a full recall."
Villarreal sit high in the table but endure a recent rut with five defeats in seven matches and setbacks at home. The team recently lost 2-1 to Ajax in the Champions League and were beaten 2-0 at Real Betis in La Liga. Cup elimination at Racing Santander ended their Copa del Rey run. Several players are sidelined with knee injuries, but Papa Gueye returns after AFCON success, and Georges Mikautadze looks set for recall with Thomas Partey starting in midfield. Real Madrid have faced turbulence, including a Copa del Rey exit and managerial change.
Read at Soccer News
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