Espanyol head to the Ceramica in the only league game in the Spanish top flight this weekend. Our Villarreal vs Espanyol prediction and La Liga betting tips consider whether the improving visitors can spring a surprise.
Contents
Villarreal vs Espanyol prediction: Fernandez to strike in draw
Key stats
- Our Villarreal vs Espanyol betting tips take into account that the visitors have taken seven points from their last three away games, conceding only once.
- Villarreal have only won 33% of their home league fixtures this term.
- Only 42% of their points have come at the Ceramica, with Marcelino’s side often thriving on the road.
Correct score prediction: Villarreal 1-1 Espanyol
Espanyol are a vastly improved side, following some smart January business, with Roberto Fernandez and Urko Gonzalez de Zarate both slotting into the team and pushing them to a higher level.
They’ve every chance of getting something from this fixture, particularly given Villarreal have a major doubt over key man Alex Baena.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies backing the Yellow Submarine
- HOME: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts are the favourites according to the Villarreal vs Espanyol odds, with an implied probability of 69.2% that they win this match.
They head into the game after a 3-0 defeat at Celta Vigo, with Eric Bailly’s early red card not helping them at all in midweek.
As for Espanyol, their revival continued on Tuesday, with Javi Puado’s goal earning them a point at Valencia in a 1-1 draw.
For more from the upcoming matches in Europe, today’s free betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Villarreal chasing fifth win on the spin
Our Villarreal vs Espanyol prediction suggests this match could buck the recent trend which has seen the Yellow Submarine win all of the last four meetings.
Espanyol have avoided defeat on four of their last six trips to the Ceramica though, with both teams scoring in five of those games.
Spain La Liga 03/03/25
Villarreal
Espanyol
Spain La Liga 26/09/24
Espanyol
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
Villarreal preview: Marcelino to mix things up
We should see a number of changes from Marcelino, with Ayoze Perez sure to return up top following a midweek rest. Bailly is suspended, while Baena, Gerard Moreno and Raul Albiol are rated doubtful.
Predicted Lineup: Junior (GK), Cardona, Costa, Foyth, Femenia, D. Suarez, Parejo, Gueye, Pino, Pepe & A. Perez
Spain La Liga 10/05/25 W Girona 0 Villarreal 1 Spain La Liga 03/05/25 W Osasuna 2 Villarreal 4 Spain La Liga 27/04/25 W Espanyol 0 Villarreal 1 Spain La Liga 23/04/25 L Celta Vigo 3 Villarreal 0 Spain La Liga 20/04/25 D Real Sociedad 2 Villarreal 2
Espanyol preview: Manolo favouring continuity
With a settled lineup, Espanyol are thriving and few changes are expected here. They have injury doubts over squad players Brian Olivan, Jose Gragera and Sergi Gomez.
Predicted Lineup: J. Garcia (GK), Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali, Gonzalez de Zarate, Lozano, Exposito, Puado, R. Fernandez & J. Carreras
Spain La Liga 11/05/25 L Leganes 3 Espanyol 2 Spain La Liga 04/05/25 L Real Betis 2 Espanyol 1 Spain La Liga 27/04/25 L Villarreal 1 Espanyol 0 Spain La Liga 22/04/25 D Valencia 1 Espanyol 1 Spain La Liga 18/04/25 W Getafe 0 Espanyol 1
