Real Oviedo return to La Liga for the first time in 24 years when they prepare to take on Villarreal at the Ceramica Stadium on Friday night.
Indeed, the visitors earned promotion to the Spanish top flight after finishing in third place in La Liga 2 in the 2024/25 campaign.
Villarreal, meanwhile, enjoyed a great season of their own, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League (UCL) after finishing in fifth place in La Liga.
Nonetheless, this will be a big test for Oviedo against the Yellow Submarine in order to kick off their new campaign.
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Villarreal vs Real Oviedo prediction: Hosts should seal victory
Key stats
- Villarreal are on a six-game winning streak in La Liga dating back to last season.
- Oviedo only won one of their four pre-season friendlies in the lead-up to this match.
- Villarreal are unbeaten in four previous H2Hs in La Liga.
Correct score prediction: Villarreal 3-1 Real Oviedo
While Villarreal should be expected to be comfortable winners here, they may not have it all their own way. Indeed, the Yellow Submarine have conceded in each of their last eight games in total in all competitions, giving underdogs Oviedo a decent chance of scoring away from home.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Villarreal favourites to emerge victorious
- HOME: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 7/1 (8.00) – 12.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Villarreal are huge favourites with bookmakers to kick off their new campaign with all three points on home soil. A draw is rated at just under 22%, while Oviedo have been given just a 12.5% chance of causing an upset on their return to the big time.
For more from the upcoming matches in Europe, today’s football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Villarreal aiming to extend unbeaten run
As mentioned before, Villarreal are unbeaten in four previous H2Hs against Oviedo in La Liga. However, it should be noted that their last meeting was all the way back in 2001, and so they have not met each other competitively in recent times.
Club Friendly List 31/07/25
Oviedo
Villarreal
Villarreal preview: Perez a major doubt
Villarreal are sweating on the fitness of last season's top scorer Ayoze Perez, who is a major doubt for this one. Both Willy Kambwala and Logan Costa have also been ruled out with injury.
Predicted lineup: Junior (GK), Cardona, Marin, Foyth, Mourino, Yeremi, Comesana, Parejo, Pepe, Moreno & Eyong
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
Real Oviedo preview: Suspensions and injuries to deal with
David Costas will be serving a suspension for Oviedo, and so will play no part in the match. Alvaro Lemos, Jaime Seoane and Lucas Ahijado will also miss out due to injuries.
Predicted lineup: Escandell (GK), Alhassane, Calvo, Luengo, Vidal, Sibo, Reina, Illic, Chaira, Rondon & Hassan
Spain Segunda 11/05/25
D
Racing Santander
1
Oviedo
1
Spain Segunda 03/05/25
W
Huesca
1
Oviedo
2
Spain Segunda 26/04/25
W
Levante
0
Oviedo
1
Spain Segunda 20/04/25
D
Cordoba
0
Oviedo
0
Spain Segunda 12/04/25
W
Racing Ferrol
0
Oviedo
3
Player to watch: Sergi Cardona
One of Villarreal's main threats going forward actually comes from left-back Sergi Cardona. Indeed, he recorded an impressive total of seven assists in La Liga last season, the most from a defender.