Is Kylian Mbappe playing today? Projected lineups for Real Madrid vs Villarreal in 2026-27 LaLiga Matchday 8

Jose Mourinho takes charge of Real Madrid against Villarreal with his bench already thinned out by several absences, a test of squad depth as much as tactics.

Real Madrid head into this one off the back of a 1-2 loss to Atlético on September 20, a result that followed wins over Elche (3-2) on September 15 and Vallecano (4-1) on September 12.

Villarreal arrive on a stronger run, having beaten Levante 3-1 last Saturday after a 3-1 win over Malaga on September 17, with their only blemish in that stretch a 1-2 loss to Betis on September 14.

The main question is the availability of Kylian Mbappé for this duel. He suffered an injury with France during the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, but it is expected to play from the start.

Mourinho lines Real Madrid up in a 4-2-3-1, with Courtois behind a back line of Rüdiger, Konaté, Dumfries and Carreras. Bellingham and Tchouameni sit as the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva, Vinícius Júnior and Arda Güler supporting Mbappe up top.

Real Madrid projected starting XI (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rüdiger, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Álvaro Carreras, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Bernardo Silva, Kylian Mbappe, Vinícius Júnior, Arda Güler. Coach: José Mourinho.

Iñigo Pérez sets Villarreal up in a 4-4-2, with Gulácsi in goal behind a back four of Cardona, Veiga, Navarro and Mourino. Ayoze Pérez, Gueye, Akhomach and Comesaña make up the midfield four, while Moleiro and Gerard Moreno lead the line together. There are no absences listed, so Pérez can call on his full group, with Moreno’s partnership up front key to carrying over the scoring form from the Levante win.

Villarreal projected starting XI (4-4-2): Péter Gulácsi, Sergi Cardona, Renato Veiga, Pau Navarro, Santiago Mourino, Ayoze Pérez, Pape Gueye, Ilias Akhomach, Santi Comesaña, Alberto Moleiro, Gerard Moreno. Coach: Iñigo Pérez.