An interesting fixture is on the cards as Villarreal and Espanyol lock horns in the 23rd round of La Liga at Estadio de la Ceramica on Monday, 9 February 2026.
View our free Villarreal vs Espanyol predictions below.
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Villarreal vs Espanyol predictions: Goals expected
Key stats
- At least three goals were scored in five of Villarreal's last seven matches.
- Three of Espanyol's last four games produced goals at both ends.
- Villarreal and Espanyol have no wins in their last five respective matches.
Correct score prediction: Villarreal 2-1 Espanyol
To be fair, neither team has particularly enjoyed their best form of late, as Villarreal and Espanyol have both drawn one and lost four of their last five respective matches.
However, it is important to note that Espanyol have had a poor track record against Villarreal in recent years, having lost six consecutive meetings between these sides.
Considering they also have the advantage of playing at home, we believe the Yellow Submarine will halt their winless streak on Monday night.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Villarreal clearly favoured
- HOME: 8/11 (1.73) – 57.9%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Villarreal's four-game losing streak ended with a 2-2 draw at Osasuna last time out. Marcelino's men are now 16 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, although they have played two fewer games.
Espanyol, on the other hand, are coming off a 2-1 home defeat against Alaves. They have now lost three consecutive matches and are without a win in their last five games.
As things stand, Villarreal and Espanyol are fourth and sixth in La Liga, respectively.
On that note, Villarreal are the expected winners at 8/11 (1.73). Teams with these odds generally have a 57.9% probability of winning.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Villarreal vs Espanyol predictions.
Moreover, while Espanyol have no clean sheets in their last six matches, Villarreal saw their defence breached in each of their last 10 games. Keeping that in mind, BTTS – Yes has an appealing look at 3/4 (1.75). That one has a 57.1% chance of landing.
Most recent H2Hs: Villarreal's dominance to continue?
Villarreal have been the dominant side in recent clashes between these teams, as they were victorious in their last six meetings and are unbeaten in their last seven skirmishes.
Spain La Liga 08/11/25
Espanyol
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 27/04/25
Villarreal
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 03/03/25
Villarreal
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 26/09/24
Espanyol
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 27/04/23
Villarreal
Espanyol
Villarreal preview: Few absentees
The Yellow Submarine will be without Pau Cabanes, Willy Kambwala, Thomas Partey, Juan Foyth (out for the season), and Logan Costa once again due to injury.
Alfon Gonzalez and Ayoze Perez remain touch-and-go for this encounter, while Alfonso Pedraza has accumulated yellow cards and is therefore suspended.
Predicted lineup: Tenas (GK), Cardona, Veiga, Marin, Navarro, Moleiro, Gueye, Parejo, Pepe, Mikautadze & Moreno.
Last five matches
- Osasuna 2-2 Villarreal
- Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Villarreal
- Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid
- Villarreal 1-2 Ajax
- Real Betis 2-0 Villarreal
Espanyol preview: Hoping to snap their losing streak
Espanyol will enter this game with no new injury concerns. However, Javi Puado is ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a serious cruciate ligament injury.
Predicted lineup: Dmitrovic (GK), El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero, Jofre, Gonzalez, Lozano, Terrats, Fernandez & Garcia.
Last five matches
- Espanyol 1-2 Alaves
- Valencia 3-2 Espanyol
- Espanyol 0-2 Girona
- Levante 1-1 Espanyol
- Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona
Player to watch: Gerard Moreno
Gerard Moreno scored a brace in Villarreal's 2-2 draw with Osasuna last time out. Although the 33-year-old has spent most of his career at Villarreal, he was an Espanyol player for three seasons between 2015 and 2018. It will be interesting to see how Moreno performs against his former team.