Key Facts
- Oviedo has picked up ten out of a possible 15 points in their last ten matches and scored in every game—showing improved form despite their relegation battle.
- Federico Viñas (brace against Celta) and Thiago Fernández bring Oviedo more goal threat and unpredictability in attack.
- Villarreal is defending third place and thus Champions League spots, but has shown defensive vulnerabilities in five consecutive league games (conceding goals in each).
- Nicolás Fonseca is suspended for Oviedo; Dendoncker, Forés, and Ilic are also unavailable – Colombatto and Sibo will largely have to shoulder the midfield on their own.
- Both teams have scored in their last five league games, making the “Both Teams to Score” bet seem like a logical choice; second halves have recently seen fewer goals.
- Juan Foyth’s long-term absence weakens Villarreal’s central defense, but Sergi Cardona and Alfon González have recently shown that Marcelino has depth in his squad.
Ten points from five league games, two straight wins most recently, and goals scored in each of those matches: Oviedo is in the thick of a relegation battle, but hardly looks like it right now. Guillermo Almada has made the Tartiere the centerpiece of his mission with a targeted ticket campaign. Tonight, his team hosts Marcelino’s Villarreal, who are looking to defend their third-place standing and secure a spot in the Champions League.
- Venue: Estadio Nuevo Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo
- Date and time: April 23, 2026, 9:30 PM
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 33)
The bookmakers see Villarreal as clear favorites, but the more interesting bets lie outside the winner market. Oviedo has scored in five consecutive league games, as has Villarreal, though the latter has also conceded in those same five matches. This makes “Both Teams to Score: Yes” an obvious option.
Oviedo Form & Record Check
The 3-0 win at Celta was by far Oviedo’s most convincing league performance of the spring, not just because of the result, but because of the way it came about. Alberto Reina scored early, Federico Viñas netted a brace, and the team looked far more composed than one would expect from a bottom-of-the-table side. Overall, Oviedo has picked up ten out of a possible 15 points in their last five matches, scoring in every game. What has changed is the balance between aggression and control. The wins against Sevilla and Valencia were narrow but deserved, and Thiago Fernández has added more unpredictability to the attack. However, Nicolás Fonseca is suspended, Leander Dendoncker and Álex Forés remain unavailable, and with Luka Ilic not yet fit, Almada may have to rely on Santiago Colombatto and Kwasi Sibo to anchor the midfield.
Oviedo is likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1, though nothing has been confirmed yet. In this prediction, Aarón Escandell (13) starts in goal, with Nacho Vidal (22), Eric Bailly (2), David Carmo (16), and Javi López (25). Kwasi Sibo (6) and Santiago Colombatto (11) form the defensive midfield duo, with Thiago Fernández (15), Alberto Reina (5), and Ilyas Chaira (7) operating behind them to support Federico Viñas (9). The biggest question mark regarding the lineup is in midfield: Nicolás Fonseca is suspended, which means Santiago Colombatto (11) would have to take on more responsibility in building play alongside Kwasi Sibo (6). Luka Ilic, Álex Forés, and Leander Dendoncker are also expected to be out. With two games in four days, Almada could also make adjustments to the back line if he wants to rotate the squad.
Villarreal Form & Record Check
Villarreal’s 2-1 win at Athletic was a response to their disappointing loss in Girona. Marcelino’s team was efficient in the first half and showed enough maturity late in the game to secure the points, a pattern that runs through their record over the last five league matches: three wins, one draw, one loss. In the race for third place, they remain four points ahead of Atlético de Madrid. The problem is that Villarreal has now conceded in five consecutive league matches, meaning their grip on games is nowhere near as solid as the standings suggest. Juan Foyth is out long-term, and that becomes noticeable when Villarreal leaves space around the penalty area. Nevertheless, Marcelino has enough depth in attack, as Sergi Cardona and Alfon González impressively demonstrated in the last away win.
Villarreal is likely to stick to Marcelino’s usual 4-4-2 formation, though this is, of course, just an assessment. Luiz Júnior should start in goal, with a back four in front of him that could include Pau Navarro (6), while Juan Foyth remains sidelined. In midfield, Tajon Buchanan (17) and Alfon González (11) are expected to provide width, with Santi Comesaña (14) and Pape Gueye (18) ensuring balance in the center. Up front, Gerard Moreno (7) is the central focal point of this projected lineup, with Tani Oluwaseyi (21) as a possible partner if Marcelino wants to rely on direct runs behind the defensive line. Pau Cabanes also remains unavailable, which limits the options in attack somewhat. This projected lineup thus appears to be the most obvious solution for maintaining Villarreal’s usual basic structure without risking any major surprises.
Oviedo – Villarreal Head-to-Head & Statistics
The only reasonably recent point of reference dates back to August 2025, when Villarreal won 2-0 in the season opener. The match was decided early on; Villarreal was ahead at halftime, and Oviedo couldn’t find a way back. Despite all the buzz surrounding this rematch, the head-to-head record still shows that Marcelino’s team won the duel with greater authority. The data available is insufficient to draw far-reaching conclusions, which is certainly relevant here because Oviedo looks different now than it did at the start of the season. Interestingly, however, a certain pattern also emerged in the August match: the first half was livelier, the second calmer. Anyone looking to contextualize this game should view this more as a small hint than as a reliable rule.
