Preview: Real Madrid vs. Villarreal

Real Madrid will be looking to keep up their unbeaten run when they host Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have not lost in the league in 12 games, a run stretching back to October. Last weekend's draw at Athletic Bilbao means that they sit joint-second in the standings with rivals Barcelona.

Villarreal moved to within three points of the Champions League qualification places with a 3-1 success over Osasuna on Monday.

The hosts head into this match off the back of an impressive 3-0 victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Ancelotti is expected to make changes to his side, with Diego Lopez set to return in goal and Daniel Carvajal in line to start at right-back. Gareth Bale could also feature after the Welshman missed the midweek win with a calf problem.

Ikechukwu Uche will miss out for Villarreal after picking up a thigh injury in the victory over Osasuna, while Tomas Pina is suspended.

Recent form

Real Madrid: WWWWWD

Villarreal: LWWWLW

Possible starting lineups

Real Madrid: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Alonso; Bale, Di Maria, Ronaldo; Benzema

Villarreal: Asenjo; Mario, Gabriel, Dorado, Costa; Ramos, Trigueros; Aquino, Gomez, Giovani; Perbet

Sports Mole says: 3-1