Mariano Diaz heads in an early opener for Real
Gerard Moreno equalise from the spot late on
Zidane's side lost 4-1 to Valencia in last outing
Barcelona, in eighth, are at third-placed Atletico Madrid later (20:00 GMT)
Villarreal 0-1 Real Madrid
Gerard Moreno, who has four La Liga goals already this season, tries to find a quick response for the hosts but he is well marshalled by Dani Carvajal.
Carvajal got the assist for the opener too. He's started well.
Villarreal 0-1 Real Madrid
The goal stands! Real Madrid lead but Villarreal's players are not happy, they are frustrated the linesman put his flag up for an offside before then quickly putting it back down again.
Mariano Díaz
Fast start by Real Madrid, but this one is going to be checked by VAR...
Mariano Diaz heads in from a cross but was there an offside in the build up?
Villarreal 0-0 Real Madrid
Villarreal to go top? Real Madrid to get back to winning ways? Both sides will be determined to take the three points and that should make for a great game.
We're under way.
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What do you think? Is La Liga wide open this year or will the cards fall into place, as they usually have in the past? Who do you reckon will win it this time?
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Villarreal v Real Madrid (15:15 GMT)
Here's the line ups for this afternoon's game.
There's one change for Villarreal as Carlos Bacca comes in for Paco Alcacer.
Image source, .Meanwhile, Eden Hazard makes only his second La Liga start of the season for Real Madrid and his first appearance since 3 November after testing positive for coronavirus earlier this month.
Skipper Sergio Ramos misses out after picking up a hamstring injury in Spain’s 6-0 win over Germany on Wednesday.
Image source, .Villarreal v Real Madrid (15:15 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat a job Unai Emery is doing at Villarreal.
In a league so often dominated by just two teams, Emery has got The Yellow Submarine looking like possible contenders this season.
Villarreal are unbeaten at home so far this term, having won their last four fixtures on home soil. Their only loss of the season was at Barcelona.
A win today and they will go one point clear at the top.
Villarreal v Real Madrid (15:15 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesReal Madrid lost just three games in La Liga as they claimed their 34th league title last season but already Zinedine Zidane's side have chalked up two losses in their eight games so far.
To suggest the ninth game into a season is massive seems silly but with Real up against a high-flying Villarreal today and in danger of going five points behind their opponents - who will go top - they can ill afford already equalling their number of losses from last season.