Villarreal vs. Real Madrid: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

Rob BlanchetteFeb 24, 2017

Real Madrid travel to Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday, fresh from their surprise 2-1 defeat against Valencia.

Los Blancos reside only a point above nearest challengers Barcelona, and the Camp Nou giants could be the league's new leaders after the next round of fixtures.

Villarreal lie in sixth place, and a finish in the UEFA Champions League places remains a realistic possibility for the Yellow Submarine from the Valencian Country.

Preview

Villareal players pose for a photograph prior to the UEFA Europa League football match AS Roma vs Villareal, on February 23, 2017 at Rome's Olympic stadium. / AFP / ANDREAS SOLARO (Photo credit should read ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images)

ANDREAS SOLARO/Getty Images

Despite spiralling out of the UEFA Europa League at the hands of Roma, it has been a good campaign from Madrid's hosts so far this term.

As with previous seasons, Villarreal have built their immediate success on defensive security, and they have only conceded just 15 goals across their 23 matches in La Liga this season.

Real continue to rely upon Cristiano Ronaldo to produce the firepower and goals needed to chase silverware, but the return of Gareth Bale will give the league leaders a well-timed boost in the engine room.

Ben Hayward of Goal reported the Welsh international is ready to start his first game since recovering from injury and should be in the first XI to battle Villarreal. However, Raphael Varane has sustained an injury and will not make the trip to the intimate Estadio de la Ceramica. Danilo will also miss the game as he continues to rehabilitate in training.

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - OCTOBER 29: Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their opening goal with team mate Gareth Bale during the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 29, 20

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Real have everyone else available in the squad for the clash, and the Madrid side could find themselves four points clear of Barcelona if results fall in their favour this weekend.

Manager Zinedine Zidane could opt to recall Isco and Mateo Kovacic as he attempts to shake up his selection after the disappointment of defeat to 14th-placed Valencia. However, it is the return of Bale that will have Madristas purring before kick-off.

The attacker has already found the net, coming off the bench to score in the 2-0 victory against Espanyol.

The player declared his happiness at returning:

The league title has evaded the Galacticos since 2011/12, but their success in Europe has softened the blow domestically.

Real need to win La Liga this season as they have lacked Barcelona's clinical edge in recent Spanish league campaigns.

The Champions League continues to be the holy grail for President Florentino Perez, but Los Blancos must prove to themselves and their supporters they are the reigning power in Spanish football, ahead of Atletico Madrid and their bitter El Clasico rival.