Real Madrid
Real Madrid go into the Villarreal match without Dean Huijsen, suspended after his red card in the Madrid derby. Antonio Rüdiger is therefore in line to partner Ibrahima Konaté in central defence. Éder Militão remains out with a hamstring injury and is expected to need a couple more weeks before returning.
At right-back, Denzel Dumfries is expected to start ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who started twice in the last five matches but did not feature against Atlético Madrid. Marc Cucurella, who has started four of the last five games, is favoured at left-back ahead of Álvaro Carreras.
Villarreal
Villarreal head to the Bernabéu without Tajon Buchanan, who will miss out through a muscle injury. The news is better for Santi Comesaña and Juan Foyth, who are both fully available again, with Comesaña back in contention after sitting out the win over Levante.
Santiago Mouriño is expected to start at right-back ahead of Alexander Freeman, who has started three of the last five games. Ilias Akhomach, who has provided two assists from two starts in that run, looks set to keep his place alongside Ayoze Pérez, who has been withdrawn around the hour mark in each of his last three starts. Comesaña's alternative in midfield is Nicolas Pépé, while Renato Veiga and Foyth are the options for the other central defensive spot.
