Villarreal vs Espanyol: Team News and Match Predictions
As Villarreal prepares to host Espanyol in La Liga, both teams are struggling with their forms. Villarreal’s match against Espanyol takes place at El Madrigal on a Monday evening. This contest is crucial for both sides aiming to revive their seasons.
Match Details
- Date and Time: To be confirmed, Monday evening
- Location: El Madrigal
- Broadcast: UK – Premier Sports, US – ESPN
Villarreal Overview
Villarreal has experienced a significant drop in performance, with a five-match winless streak across all competitions. This downturn has significantly narrowed the gap between them and teams outside the top four.
In their last outing, Villarreal managed to secure a 2-2 draw against Osasuna, thanks to a brace from captain Gerard Moreno. However, inconsistency remains a concern.
Team News
- Unavailable Players: Alfon (calf injury), Costa, Kambwala, Foyth, Pau Cabanes (all injured)
- Questionable: Thomas Partey, Ayoze Perez
The expected lineup for Villarreal in a 4-4-2 formation includes Junior, Santiago Mourino, Rafa Marin, Veiga, Alfonso, Pepe, Dani Parejo, Gueye, Alberto Moleiro, Gerard, and Mikautadze.
Espanyol Overview
Espanyol is also facing challenges, having gathered only one point from their last five matches. Their most recent game ended in a 2-1 defeat against Deportivo Alaves. Following an early goal by Roberto Fernandez, they couldn’t secure a positive result.
Team News
- Unavailable Players: Javi Puado (injured)
- No New Issues: The team is expected to field an unchanged starting XI.
Espanyol is predicted to line up in a 4-4-2 formation with Dmitrovic, Riedel, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Jofre Carreras, Urko Gonzalez, Edu Exposito, Ramon Terrats; Roberto Fernandez, and Kike.
Match Predictions
Analysts predict a challenging match for Villarreal, who is still looking to regain their footing. Espanyol’s ongoing struggles make this match critical for both teams. Despite their poor form, Espanyol remains in contention for a top-six finish, which highlights the stakes involved.
The expectation is for Villarreal to find a way to clinch victory at home, potentially with a scoreline of under 3.5 goals.
