Villarreal vs Espanyol: La Liga Preview, Predictions, and Team News
Villarreal will be looking to get their top-five challenge back on track when they host Espanyol at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday afternoon. According to Sports Mole, the Yellow Submarine are currently sixth in the La Liga table, two points behind fifth-placed Real Betis.
The home side will be determined to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat to Celta Vigo on Wednesday evening, which dropped them into sixth spot in the table. Marcelino’s side still have a game in hand over their rivals, but their defensive record this season will be a concern if they are to qualify for the Champions League. Villarreal have scored 55 times, which is the fourth-best attacking record in the league, but they have conceded 45, which is the most in the top six.
In their recent home form, Villarreal have only lost three times in La Liga this season, but they have been forced to share the points on seven occasions. With five home wins, their tally is relatively low considering their position in the table. The Yellow Submarine have back-to-back home fixtures against Espanyol and Osasuna before heading to Girona on May 10, and it would be a major blow for the club if they missed the cut in terms of qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Espanyol, on the other hand, will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Valencia, with that result following three straight home successes over Rayo Vallecano, Celta Vigo and Getafe. As Sports Mole reports, the Catalan outfit have been in impressive form, losing just once since the start of February and boasting a record of 10 wins, nine draws and 13 defeats from 32 matches.
The visitors have 39 points in La Liga heading into the final straight, which has left them seven points outside of the relegation zone. However, Espanyol have struggled in their recent meetings with Villarreal, losing their last four against the Yellow Submarine, including a 4-2 defeat in the corresponding match during the 2022-23 campaign.
In terms of team news, Villarreal will welcome Sergi Cardona back into their squad following a suspension, but Eric Bailly will now serve a ban following his red card in the three-goal loss to Celta last time out. Alex Baena should be fit after a recent calf problem, but Gerard Moreno, Ilias Akhomach and Raul Albiol are all expected to miss out once again.
As for Espanyol, Brian Olivan and Jose Gragera are still on the sidelines through injury, while Sergi Gomez remains a doubt. However, the visitors have no fresh fitness concerns for the contest. There is currently speculation surrounding the future of goalkeeper Joan Garcia, with Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester United all said to be keen.
In their possible starting lineups, Sports Mole predicts that Villarreal will line up with Luiz Junior; Femenia, Foyth, Kambwala, S Cardona; Pino, Comesana, Gueye, Baena; Perez, Barry. The predicted starting lineup for Espanyol is J Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Gonzalez, Lozano; Carreras, Exposito, Puado; Fernandez.
In conclusion, Sports Mole predicts a 1-1 draw between the two teams. The match is expected to be a tough contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. With Villarreal needing to win to return to fifth spot and Espanyol looking to continue their excellent recent form, the points are likely to be shared in La Liga’s only match of the weekend.
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