Real Madrid hosts Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CET local time, making it a 3 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. PT start in the US, a 8 p.m. BST start in the UK and a 6. a.m. AEDT kickoff in Australia.

Real Madrid and Barcelona enjoy one of the most famous and ferocious rivalries in European club football. This is how their head-to-head record looks.

Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has shown real faith in Arda Guler since the start of the 2025/26 season. Guler was used sparingly in his first two campaigns under Carlo Ancelotti with the veteran coach frequently admitting to uncertainty over his readiness to compete at the top level.

Vinícius Júnior has struck twice and Kylian Mbappé scored before going off injured as Real Madrid beat third-placed Villarreal 3-1 to move on top of La Liga.

Next year is a big one for international football, with the United States set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.A host of top club managers, including former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, have