March 21, 2012 9:00 PM GMT
Camp El Madrigal — Villarreal
Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero
Team News
Villarreal
Villarreal sacked their manager for the second time this season after
Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Levante meant that Jose Molina's side had taken
just one point from the last 15 available. Former Deportivo La Coruña coach Miguel Ángel Lotina has been appointed as boss until the end of the season. Carlos Marchena was sent-off for two bookable offences last time out and
is therefore suspended for the visit of the league leaders. Borja Valero will again miss out due to a hamstring strain, but Cani has
recovered from a similar injury to be included in the 19-man squad.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid failed to equal their record of 12 consecutive league wins
on Sunday night as Santi Cazorla's stunning free-kick handed Málaga a
point at the Santiago Bernabéu. Jose Mourinho is expected to make a few changes to the side that started
that match with Lass Diarra moving into midfield and Gonzalo Higuain
returning in attack. Ángel Di María is nearing his comeback from injury, but Mourinho is not
planning on risking the Argentine with the Champions League
quarter-final against APOEL to come next week.
Probable Lineups
Villarreal (4-2-3-1) :Lopez, Oriol, Gonzalo, Angel, Bruno, Senna, Nilmar, Cani, Martinuccio, Ruben.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1) : Casillas, Marcelo, Pepe, Ramos, Arbeola, Alonso, Diara, Ronaldo, Kaka, Ozil, Higuian.
Prediction
Real have struggled on their away trips of late, winning by the odd goal
in their four latest games at Betis, Rayo, Getafe and Mallorca. However, with the gap at the top of the league now down to eight points
Mourinho's men know they can't afford another slip-up at a Villarreal
side short on confidence. Given the hosts' struggles and the absence of Borja, a more comfortable
evening should be in store for Real and a repeat of the 3-1 scoreline
they achieved at El Madrigal towards the end of last season seems
plausible.
Villarreal 1 - 3 Real Madrid
0 comments:
Post a Comment