Can these 5 Real Madrid players win the match today

Real Madrid sit four points behind Barcelona after the derby defeat and face a Villarreal side that has already leaked goals in most away fixtures. The home match offers a direct chance to close the gap before a brutal October run, and five players carry the clearest weight in the outcome.

Mbappé cleared and dangerous

Kylian Mbappé returns from a knee hyperextension with seven goals in seven La Liga games. He scored for France during the break and Mourinho confirmed him fit for the lineup. Villarreal have conceded in six of seven league games, and Mbappé’s volume of shots on target makes him the most immediate threat inside the box.

His presence also reshapes the forward line. With Vinícius Júnior still seeking rhythm, Mbappé becomes the central focal point rather than a complementary runner. Defenders will have to step higher to close him down, which creates space on the wings for overlapping runs.

Real Madrid’s set-piece routines may also shift. Mbappé’s aerial threat at the far post forces Villarreal to adjust their zonal assignments, opening lanes for late arrivals from midfield.

Bellingham keeps the engine running

Jude Bellingham has already posted three goals and two assists in seven league matches. His high shot count from the edge of the box adds another layer to Real Madrid’s attack beyond the front three. Villarreal’s midfield lacks the physical profile to crowd him consistently.

His progressive carries out of the first phase also matter. With Tchouaméni anchoring, Bellingham is free to push into the half-spaces where Villarreal’s double pivot often leaves gaps. One well-timed surge could create the decisive transition.

England duty sharpened his confidence. The pattern in recent internationals shows him arriving late into the box for cut-backs, a route that has already produced goals this season.

Vinícius searches for the spark

Vinícius Júnior enters with one goal and three assists but carries the weight of early criticism after the derby. Mourinho publicly backed him this week, noting the player’s desire to prove his form on the pitch. Historical numbers against Villarreal suggest he can turn a single dribble into a goal or assist.

His one-on-one duels stretch Villarreal’s full-backs. If he isolates his marker on the left, the center-backs must shift, freeing Mbappé for runs between them. That simple geometry still underpins most of Real Madrid’s high-value chances.

Expect him to press aggressively from the front. Villarreal’s build-up from the back has been shaky on the road, and a turnover high up the pitch could hand Vinícius the space he needs to reset the narrative in one move.

Güler supplies the final ball

Arda Güler’s one goal and two assists in seven appearances hide his real value: key passes from deeper positions. Villarreal defend compactly, and Güler’s ability to switch play or slip a through ball between lines could unlock the shape.

Set pieces offer another route. His delivery on corners and free kicks has already created high-danger chances this season. A single well-placed ball could bypass Villarreal’s block and land at Mbappé’s feet.

His inclusion also lets Bellingham stay higher. By taking some of the creative load from the England international, Güler allows Real Madrid to keep two advanced midfield profiles without sacrificing control.

Valverde returns as the stabilizer

Federico Valverde is a doubt but Mourinho listed him among players who could feature. When fit, he supplies the long-range shots and box-to-box energy that stretch games open in the final twenty minutes. Villarreal tire late, and Valverde’s freshness could prove decisive.

His return also balances the midfield. With Bellingham pushing forward, Valverde covers the right half-space and prevents Villarreal’s wingers from finding easy transitions. That defensive cover lets the front four play without looking over their shoulders.

Minutes from the bench remain an option. Even twenty minutes of controlled running could shift the tempo at a point when Villarreal’s defensive line begins to drop deeper.

Team needs dictate selection

Real Madrid trail Barcelona by six points and cannot afford another slip at home. The derby loss highlighted a lack of clinical finishing; today’s match offers an immediate test of whether the attack has corrected that flaw.

Injuries and suspensions complicate the picture. Huijsen’s ban and several long-term absences mean Mourinho must rely on the five players above to create and convert chances without a traditional safety net behind them.

The fixture also sits inside a congested run that includes Roma, Sevilla, Leipzig, and El Clásico. A convincing win today reduces the pressure on those upcoming games and keeps the title race within reach.

Opponent offers clear openings

Villarreal sit ninth with eight points and have struggled to keep clean sheets on the road. Their high line leaves space behind for Mbappé’s pace, while their midfield pairing often loses track of late runners like Bellingham.

Pressing triggers have been inconsistent. Real Madrid’s attackers can force turnovers in dangerous areas if they press in sync, and Villarreal’s center-backs have shown discomfort under sustained pressure this season.

Recent away results suggest they fade after the hour mark. If the game remains level at sixty minutes, the introduction of Valverde or a more aggressive Güler role could tilt the balance in Real Madrid’s favor.

Form trends point to urgency

Mbappé’s scoring run coincides with Bellingham’s improved chance creation. Their combined output has masked Vinícius Júnior’s slower start, but the Brazilian’s historical numbers against this opponent keep him in the conversation for a match-winning moment.

Güler’s set-piece accuracy offers a low-risk, high-reward option when open play stalls. Valverde’s potential minutes add another variable that Villarreal must plan for, even if he starts on the bench.

Collectively, the five players represent Real Madrid’s clearest path to three points. Their individual match-ups against Villarreal’s defense will decide whether the home side narrows the gap on Barcelona or falls further behind.

Next steps after today

A win resets the narrative before the October schedule intensifies. Mbappé’s finishing, Bellingham’s dynamism, Vinícius Júnior’s dribbling, Güler’s delivery, and Valverde’s energy each carry the capacity to decide the result. The question is whether all five can deliver at once.