Villarreal vs Leganes Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Villarreal have been thrilling to watch throughout the season as they chase UEFA Champions League qualification ahead of the visit of relegation-battling Leganes to Mestalla this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Villarreal vs Leganes may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Villarreal Preview: Entertaining Villarreal
In Villarreal’s 35 La Liga matches so far this season, their has been a combined total of 108 goals. The Yellow Submarine head into the final three games of the campaign sitting tucked inside the top five and the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.
They come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Girona at Montilivi in Catalonia last weekend thanks to an 89th minute winner scored by youngster Karl Etta Eyong. They have now enjoyed three successive victories in Spain’s top-flight.
Leganes Preview: Battling Lega
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Leganes have been very competitive under the management of Borja Jimenez and they are very much still in the fight to avoid relegation from La Liga, having earned a much-needed win at the weekend.
Having shared three successive draws, Leganes then defeated Espanyol by three goals to two at Butarque in a game in which they were 3-0 up. Three of their last seven games have finished 3-2 either way with another ending up at 2-2 as they continue to fight.
Villarreal Team News: No Barry
Villarreal will now be without key striker Thierno Barry due to a hamstring issue. They also have a few other key absentees such as defensive duo Raul Albiol and Kiko Femenia as well as Morocco international attacking midfielder Ilias Akhomach.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Junior; Pau Navarro, Foyth, Costa, Sergi Cardona; Santi Comesana, Gueye; Pepe, Alex Baena, Yeremy Pino; Ayoze
Unavailable: Raul Albiol (Injured), Kiko Femenia (Injured), Akhomach (Injured), Barry (Injured)
Questionable:
Leganes Team News: Javi Hernandez suspended
Leganes defender Javi Hernandez is unavailable for the trip to El Madrigal as he is missing through suspension. The visitors also have a couple of key injury absentees for this one, too, such as Borna Barisic and Enric Franquesa.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Dmitrovic; Rosier, Jorge Saenz, Renato Tapia; Altimira, Cisse, Neyou, Diomande; Dani Raba, Diego Garcia, Munir
Unavailable: Barisic (Injured), Javi Hernandez (Suspended), Enric Franquesa (Injured)
Questionable:
Villarreal vs Leganes Prediction
Villarreal have arguably been the most entertaining team to watch in La Liga this season and they are now in an excellent position to confirm their return to UEFA Champions League football under Marcelino. Leganes are fighting hard, as has been the case for the last couple of months, and they are doing that with a genuinely entertaining and attacking style of football. The form and habits of these two sides suggests it should be quite a fun watch for the neutral in Castellon.
Villarreal vs Leganes Tip: Over 2.5 goals
