Sunday’s victory over Espanyol made it 16 league wins in a row for Los Blancos stretching back to March, equalling the all-time mark set by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in the 2010-11 season.
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Real Madrid are hoping to continue their ideal start to the season against an unbeaten Villarreal and will be boosted by the return of their two Galactico attackers Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Madrid extend their lead at the top over Barcelona to four points. The biggest margin of victory, meanwhile, came in an 8-0 thrashing of Almeria away from home and in their very next match, Barca beat Jose Mourinho’s Madrid 5-0 at Camp Nou. Real Madrid tops La Liga’s standings after four games and now is enjoying a club-record 16-game winning streak in league play.
Villarreal had demonstrated earlier in the half that they could pose a threat and won a penalty when Ramos illegally blocked Manu Trigueros’ shot after Raphael Varane had carelessly lost possession in his own half.
Real Madrid has no intention of allowing Villarreal to stop its record run.
And the Russian global was unlucky not to give the visitors the lead when his rising drive was turned over by Kiko Casilla.
At the other end, Ronaldo headed Madrid’s best effort of the half into the grateful arms of Asenjo.
Bruno stepped up to the spot and didn’t miss, deftly floating a chip past Kiko Casilla.
Sergio Ramos was culpable for his team falling behind, but quickly atoned by heading home from James Rodriguez’s 48th-minute corner.
However, their frustration spiled over when Ronaldo earned a yellow card for kicking out at Bruno.
From then on Real dominated proceedings as they searched for a victor.
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Thus, for the fifth round of Real Madrid is a 1-line to 12 points in the asset. If Villarreal win, the odds are 14/1 and the draw 6/1.
