Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 21
Villarreal v Real Madrid
Estadio de la Ceramica
Villarreal, Spain
Saturday, 24 January 2026
Kick-off is at 20h00
Real Madrid will be looking to continue their winning start under Alvaro Arbeloa in La Liga when they lock horns with Villarreal at La Ceramica on Saturday, January 24 in the late kick-off.
Xabi Alonso was sacked just seven months into his tenure on January 12 in the wake of his side's 3-2 loss to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.
Los Blancos were only four points behind Barca at the time, but they slashed the gap to just one with a 2-0 win over Levante on January 17 in Arbeloa's first league game in charge.
The Blaugrana would go on to suffer a surprise 2-1 defeat to 10-man Real Sociedad 24 hours later to let Real back into the title race.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
The Yellow Submarine are still the closest challengers to Spain's top two despite being beaten 2-0 by Real Betis on January 17 which halted their winning start to 2026.
Marcelino's side had given the perfect response to the 2-0 reverse to Barca in their final match of 2025 by recording back-to-back 3-1 wins against Elche and Alaves in the opening two weeks of the new year.
Villarreal are holding onto third place by virtue of goals scored as they are tied with Atletico Madrid on 41 points with the same goal difference, but having played one game less.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Marcelino bemoaned the sending-off of Santi Comesana with 14 minutes left to play against Betis which put them at a disadvantage as they pushed for an equaliser, having only been 1-0 down at the time.
"It was an even match that ended up being decided by fine details," he said. "We had some chances and dangerous moments in the first half. They did too, especially from a set-piece.
"They had more of the ball, but we were well in the game. In the second half they scored, but we reacted well with a one-on-one from Tajon [Buchanan]. We were creating danger and had chances to equalise.
"From there, we made a mistake and were left with 10 players. A sending-off in football means you don't win. Everything becomes very difficult. It's a shame because there was still a lot of [the] match left."
Arbeloa addressed the boos aimed at Florentino Perez after the game against Levante, insisting it didn't come from Real supporters but rather from those who are not aligned with the club.
"I know where the boos come from and I know where the campaigns come from. They're not from people who don't like Florentino. They're from people who don't like Real Madrid, he said.
"They're not going to fool me. I know where all this comes from and I consider myself lucky to have a president who is the most important person, alongside Santiago Bernabeu, in the history of this club."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Villarreal wins - 0
Real Madrid wins - 4
Draws - 1
La Liga Matchday 21 fixtures:
Friday, January 23
22h00: Levante v Elche
Saturday, January 24
13h00: Rayo Vallecano v Osasuna
15h15: Valencia v Espanyol
17h30: Sevilla v Athletic Bilbao
20h00: Villarreal v Real Madrid
Sunday, January 25
13h00: Atletico Madrid v Real Mallorca
15h15: Barcelona v Real Oviedo
17h30: Real Sociedad v Celta Vigo
20h00: Alaves v Real Betis
Monday, January 26
20h00: Girona v Getafe
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