Villareal v Real Madrid
Thursday 3rd January 2030hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick: Both teams to score
Bookmaker: William Hill
Odds: 8/15 (odds taken 20.00 GMT, Tuesday 1 January)
La Liga Betting at William Hill
It’s the first fixture of 2019 in La Liga and fittingly it is between two clubs who will be very glad to see the back of 2018 – at least the second half of it. The hosts are in the relegation zone and in desperate need of points to begin climbing the table whilst their opponents on Thursday are much further adrift of top spot than they would have expected to be with many of their rivals also underperforming. It’s a case of new year, new beginnings for both coaches who are still in their infancy in charge – continue reading for a preview of Villareal against Real Madrid with a best betting tip selection.
Villareal Preview
Having qualified for Europe through their league position last season and been a permanent fixture in the top eight for a number of seasons, it’s certainly something of a surprise to see Villareal struggle so much in this campaign. Three wins from 16 games illustrates just how underwhelming it’s been and was the reason why the club elected to change their manager last month. Luis Garcia – formerly of Levante and Getafe and most recently coaching in China – has been picked to steer Villareal to safety. It could be seen as a surprising appointment but his experience is very much with clubs at the bottom end of the table and that’s the reality of where they’re currently at. He’s had two games in charge thus far and it’s been a decent start winning at home in the Europa League to guarantee participation in the knockout phase whilst drawing the only league games thus far, 2-2 away to Huesca last time out. As that opponent is one of only two games below Villareal, it’s a further indication of where they are and the improvement that is needed.
Real Madrid Preview
The appointment of Julen Lopetegui raised a few eyebrows at the times and it never lasted long with Real also changing manager in the first half of the season. Former player Santiago Solari has been entrusted with the job for the remainder of this season and he’s already won a trophy as the Champions League holders secured the Club World Cup yet again. Domestically, there has been improvement and they head into Thursday’s match with Villareal having won five of their last six since the humbling at the hands of Barcelona which essentially caused the previous head coach his job. There’s still a vulnerability about this team, that much is obvious and proven with their 3-0 defeat to Eibar at the end of November but they will be heartened by the teams above them dropping points regularly and should they win this game in hand, Real would be five points behind Barca. Their form on the road has to be much better in the second half of the season if they are to challenge for the title, however, with only three wins on their travels so far. Despite Villareal’s struggles, Solari will be well aware of the challenge that his team will face to get things going in 2019.
Villareal v Real Madrid Betting Advice
This is a game in hand for both teams due to Real Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup. It’s not quite the halfway stage in La Liga yet but we’re nearing that point and the result in this one is significant in that it could life the home team out of the relegation zone or equally, move Real level on points with Sevilla in third and put them in striking distance of top spot. I’ve alluded to the struggles of both teams so far this season and to emphasise that further, Villareal have managed only one home win in the league, that coming against Real Betis. Real have been beaten four times already on the road in La Liga and have conceded more away goals than any side currently in the top 10.
The spoils in the recent playing of this fixture have been shared. The last seven meetings have returned two wins apiece and three draws and all the indications are we’re set for another close one on Thursday. Real look too short for a team who have not had their troubles to find on the road this season, albeit they are the most likely winner. I’m more drawn to the goals markets in this one due to how porous the visitors defence has been. With only one clean sheet in the league away from home all season for Real, I’m taking both teams to score – it’s a bet that would have won in four of the last six meetings at El Madrigal.
