Espanyol vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Espanyol have been the surprise package in La Liga so far this season as they now welcome a Villarreal side holding onto the coattails of the title race this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Espanyol preview: High-flying Espanyol
Espanyol begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the top six and the European spots with just three defeats in their opening 11 matches of the campaign, following the takeover of the club by Burnley owner Alan Pace over the summer.
However, they do come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat to fellow high flyers Deportivo Alaves in the Basque Country last weekend, with Roberto Fernandez scoring for the Catalans after Alaves had been 2-0 up in the 40th minute.
Villarreal preview: Impressive Villarreal
Marcelino is an excellent coach and he is doing a very good job in charge of a Villarreal side that begin this weekend sitting third in the table and seven points behind league leaders Real Madrid, a couple of points behind defending champions Barcelona.
The Yellow Submarine did, though, suffer a frustrating defeat to Cypriot champions Pafos away from home in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, following a 4-0 hammering of Rayo Vallecano at El Madrigal last weekend.
Espanyol team news: Kike a doubt
Key attacker Kike Garcia is a fresh doubt for Espanyol this weekend, whilst fellow key attacker Javi Puado remains unavailable for the hosts due to a knee injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Riedel, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Jofre Carreras, Edu Exposito, Pol Lozano, Alex Roca; Pere Milla, Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Javi Puado (Injured)
Questionable: Kike (Injured)
Villarreal team news: Defensive injuries
Villarreal are dealing with a few key defensive injury issues for this one as Cape Verde international centre-back Logan Costa is sidelined alongside former Manchester United defender Willy Kambwala.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Santiago Mourino, Foyth, Veiga, Alfonso; Pepe, Santi Comesana, Partey, Alberto Moleiro; Gerard, Mikautadze
Unavailable: Costa (Injured), Kambwala (Injured), Pau Cabanes (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol vs Villarreal prediction
Espanyol, with former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez still at the helm, have grown into a more ambitious project off the pitch and are beginning to play a style of football that is easier on the eye. They welcome a Villarreal side to Barcelona with a brilliant squad, both in terms of depth and quality, and a more proactive style than Marcelino has previously produced. This should be a good watch.
Espanyol vs Villarreal tip: Both teams to score
