Villarreal vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Villarreal have been one of La Liga’s best sides to watch this season as they hold on to the coattails of Athletic Club in the top four race, now facing an in-form Espanyol to El Madrigal.
Kick-off date/time: Monday 3rd March, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Villarreal vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Villarreal Preview: Entertaining and impressive Villarreal
Former Olympique de Marseille and Valencia boss is in charge of a Villarreal side that have seen 83 goals scored in their 25 La Liga matches. The Yellow Submarine begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting four points behind Athletic Club in the top four.
Villarreal have been very impressive throughout the campaign, aside from a poor run of form in early winter, as they come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat of high flying Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas in the capital city last weekend.
Espanyol Preview: Pushing away from the bottom three
Espanyol, under the management of former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez, have pushed themselves away from the bottom three and the relegation places in La Liga with a strong recent run of form.
The Catalans’ most recent outing saw them defeat Deportivo Alaves by a goal to nil in the Basque Country last weekend thanks to an 86th minute winner from Fernando Calero, meaning they have suffered just one defeat in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Villarreal Team News: No Gerard
Club captain Gerard Moreno has been left frustrated by persistent injuries throughout the campaign and he is now once again sidelined for the hosts alongside long-term absentee Ilias Akhomach, whilst former Watford defender Kiko Femenia is a doubt due to a back injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Conde; Foyth, Kambwala, Costa, Sergi Cardona; Yeremy Pino, Santi Comesana, Gueye, Alex Baena; Ayoze, Barry
Unavailable: Akhomach (Injured), Gerard (Injured)
Questionable: Kiko Femenia (Injured)
Espanyol Team News: Pere Milla a doubt
Key Espanyol attacking midfielder Pere Milla is now an injury doubt for Espanyol this weekend as they deal with a couple of confirmed absentees such as goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco and defensive midfielder Jose Gragera.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pol Lozano, Urko Gonzalez; Jofre Carreras, Kral, Javi Puado; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Fernando Pacheco (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured)
Questionable: Pere Milla (Injured)
Villarreal vs Espanyol Prediction
Villarreal are still in with a real chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League but the team above them, Athletic Club, will believe they are still just about involved in La Liga’s title race. They face an Espanyol side that have been much-improved of late and will be confident as they head down to Castellon so will fancy their chances of scoring against a wide open Villarreal defence. Villarreal are favourites with their home advantage but it could end up being quite entertaining for the neutral.
Villarreal vs Espanyol Tip: Villarreal to win & both teams to score
