Real Madrid’s possible line-up vs Villarreal today: will Mbappé, Rodrygo start?

Kylian Mbappé is poised to come back into the Real Madrid line-up against Villarreal this weekend, having staged a rapid recovery from injury.

Mbappé was initially expected to miss three weeks with a hamstring issue that ruled him out of last Sunday’s LaLiga draw with Atlético Madrid. However, he returned to action within six days in midweek, playing as a substitute in Madrid’s surprise Champions League defeat to Lille.

Fellow forward Rodrygo Goes sat out Wednesday’s game in France with a back problem, but has also returned to fitness and is also in the frame for inclusion in Los Blancos’ line-up at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

Will Militão play despite recent injury concerns?

Carlo Ancelotti’s chief selection doubt against Villarreal is at centre-back, where Éder Militão could drop out of the team. Although tests have not shown any damage, Militão has been troubled by his left thigh in Madrid’s last two games.

Ancelotti must decide whether to keep Militão in his line-up, or draft in midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni as a makeshift central-defensive partner for Antonio Rüdiger. If Tchouaméni drops back into the defence, Eduardo Camavinga will play at the base of the midfield. If Militão starts, it’s between Tchouaméni and Camavinga for the anchorman role.

Andriy Lunin will continue in goal, given that No. 1 keeper Thibaut Courtois remains out with a groin injury. The Belgian is expected back after the October international break.

Elsewhere, Ancelotti is likely to go with his first-choice options. In view of the strength of the opposition - Villarreal are third in LaLiga, and are unbeaten on the road this season - the Madrid head coach has no plans to rotate.

Real Madrid’s possible line-up vs Villarreal:

Andriy Lunin; Dani Carvajal, Aurélien Tchouameni, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy; Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.

Real Madrid vs Villarreal: start time, how to watch

On matchday nine of the 2024/25 LaLiga season, Real Madrid host Villarreal today, Saturday October 5, with kick-off at the Bernabéu scheduled for 3 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the match on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.

You can also stream the game on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free introductory trial.

Madrid head into the weekend sitting second in LaLiga, one point ahead of Villarreal. Leaders Barcelona, who have a three-point advantage over their arch rivals, are away at Deportivo Alavés on Sunday (10:15 a.m. ET/7:15 a.m. PT).