Espanyol and Villarreal will meet in the next round of La Liga on Thursday, 26 September.
Will Espanyol get their third win in four games or will Villarreal show they're the better team? Read our Espanyol vs Villarreal prediction to learn more about this game, but don't miss out on our other La Liga predictions either.
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Espanyol vs Villarreal prediction: A confident win for the guests
Key Stats
- Villarreal have only lost once this season in La Liga and it was against Barcelona, the current leaders of the league.
- Seven of the last 10 meetings between Espanyol and Villarreal have gone over 2.5 total goals.
- Villarreal have averaged 4.17 total goals per game in La Liga so far, which is the third highest average in the league.
Correct score prediction: Espanyol 1-3 Villarreal
While Espanyol have done reasonably well so far this season given their tough schedule, Villarreal are simply the better team and we expect them to prove it in this match, while Espanyol should be able to put one past the Yellow Submarine, especially at home.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Villarreal the more likely winners
- HOME: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.30%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.60%
- AWAY: 11/10 (2.10) – 47.60%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Looking at the Espanyol vs Villarreal odds, we can see that the bookies see the guests as the expected winners, but the hosts aren't without a chance either based on these odds.
This makes sense given that Villarreal are the better team on paper and in good form, but Espanyol are a solid team and can put up a good fight at home.
In addition to our predictions for this match, don't forget to also check our top betting tips for today.
Most recent H2Hs: Villarreal dominating lately
With three wins in a row over Espanyol, Villarreal have been the better team recently. Things aren't much different if we look at the overall H2H record between these teams: 19-21-12 in favour of Villarreal.
Spain La Liga 27/04/23
Villarreal
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 09/11/22
Espanyol
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 27/02/22
Villarreal
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 21/08/21
Espanyol
Villarreal
Spain La Liga 19/01/20
Villarreal
Espanyol
Espanyol preview: Not the worst start of the season
With a couple of wins, one draw, and three losses in the first six rounds of the new La Liga season, the team from Barcelona have been rather inconsistent. Still, they managed to beat most of the teams they were supposed to beat and even secured a draw against Atletico Madrid. That being said, Espanyol are just a couple of points away from the relegation zone.
When it comes to team news, Edu Exposito remains the only injured player at the club at this time.
Predicted lineup: Garcia (GK), El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero, Tejera, Aguado, Kral, Jofre, Veliz & Puado
Spain La Liga 29/09/24
L
Real Betis
1
Espanyol
0
Spain La Liga 26/09/24
L
Villarreal
2
Espanyol
1
Spain La Liga 21/09/24
L
Real Madrid
4
Espanyol
1
Spain La Liga 14/09/24
W
CD Alaves
2
Espanyol
3
Spain La Liga 31/08/24
W
Rayo Vallecano
1
Espanyol
2
Villarreal preview: Hoping to put the loss to Barcelona behind them
After five games without a loss to start the new La Liga season, the Yellow Submarine succumbed to Barcelona in the last round and it was a tough, 5-1 loss for them, even though they've put up a good fight in that match and had a couple of goals disallowed. In any case, Villarreal are currently sixth in the standings, but can get up to at least fourth with a win over Espanyol.
Meanwhile, Juan Foyth and Gerard Moreno are out with injuries, while Willy Kambwala and Alfonso Pedraza are questionable.
Predicted lineup: Conde (GK), Femenia, Costa, Albiol, Cardona, Akhomach, Parejo, Comesana, Baena, Perez & Barry
Spain La Liga 30/09/24
W
Las Palmas
1
Villarreal
3
Spain La Liga 26/09/24
W
Espanyol
1
Villarreal
2
Spain La Liga 22/09/24
L
Barcelona
5
Villarreal
1
Spain La Liga 14/09/24
W
Mallorca
1
Villarreal
2
Spain La Liga 31/08/24
D
Valencia
1
Villarreal
1
Player to watch: Ayoze Perez
While Perez is not a regular starter for Villarreal, he already has four goals in La Liga this season, and with Gerrard Moreno out with an injury, he will be one of the team's key offensive weapons against Espanyol too.
