Madrid have started to pick up wins under coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso. In their last match, Real Madrid secured a resounding 6-1 victory over AS Monaco in the Champions League.
One match earlier, Los Blancos defeated Levante 2-0 in La Liga. This was Arbeloa's first win in charge of Madrid, which immediately moved them within a point of league leaders FC Barcelona, who were defeated 2-1 by Real Sociedad the same week.
If they win against Villarreal, who are in third place this season, Madrid will have 51 points and lead the standings for about 12 hours after Barca plays their 21st-week match.
