Racing Santander vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Racing Santander are back in La Liga, following promotion last season, and begin against a Villarreal side that have entered into a new era this summer.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – 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 – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+
Racing Santander preview: Back in La Liga
Having spent 14 seasons outside of La Liga, even spending seven of those in the third-tier, Racing Santander have returned to the top-flight of Spanish football, having won the second-tier last season. Jose Alberto, the mastermind behind that, remains in charge for this season, too.
The Cantabrians have been relatively ambitious with signings in the summer transfer window, the standout addition being the return of midfielder Sergio Canales, who has spent time in Mexico most recently, playing for Liga MX giants, Monterrey. They have also brought in goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala from Athletic Club.
Villarreal preview: Potentially thrilling Villarreal
Villarreal have taken the decision to appoint Rayo Vallecano boss Inigo Perez over the summer. Perez led Rayo to a miraculous overperformance as they reached the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League, losing to Crystal Palace in Leipzig.
The Yellow Submarine became frustrated by Marcelino's style of football, despite the former Valencia boss leading Villarreal to a third place finish and successive qualifications for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club's history.
Racing Santander team news: Nothing really to worry about
Racing Santander appear to have what appears to be close to a fully fit and available squad here with Georgian forward Giorgi Guliashvili working his way back from a leg injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Alvaro Mantilla, Facundo Gonzalez, Pablo Ramon, Jorge Salinas; Inigo Sainz-Maza, Gustavo Puerta; Zabiri, Sergio Canales, Inigo Vicente; Asier Villalibre
Unavailable:
Questionable: Guliashvili (Injured)
Villarreal team news: Fully fit
Fairly remarkably, but also extremely beneficial for the visitors, Villarreal head to Cantabria with what appears to be a fully fit and available squad on the opening weekend of the season.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Freeman, Foyth, Veiga, Sergi Cardona; Alberto Moleiro, Santi Comesana, Gueye, Carlos Romero; Pepe, Gerard
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Racing Santander vs Villarreal prediction
Inigo Perez did not require time to implement his intense pressing style at Vallecas but a lot of that could be put down to him being an assistant coach to Andoni Iraola, who may have already done the hard yards in that regard. It may therefore be a different story at El Madrigal. Both teams scoring seems a good bet but so does siding with the hosts, with Racing set to have a raucous home crowd in their side and one that showed how hostile they can be in an eventual defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey last season.
Racing Santander vs Villarreal tip: Double chance - Racing Santander to win or draw & both teams to score
