Villarreal – Espanyol
People in Vila-real have been eagerly awaiting this date for a long time: on Sunday at 4:15 p.m., the Yellow Submarine welcomes Espanyol – three points that could catapult Villarreal from sixth place in the table straight back into the Champions League zone. For the visitors, on the other hand, every point counts to maintain their seven-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Although the 0-3 defeat in Vigo was a setback, Villarreal’s offensive power regularly shines at home. The problem is that Akhomach (cruciate ligament) and Buchanan are out, and Baena is questionable. Nevertheless, they can draw on their head-to-head record – four wins and one draw in five games, most recently a 2-1 away win in September.
Espanyol are traveling with confidence. Three wins from five games, a central defense that is now also scoring up front, and goalkeeper Joan García, who has long been watched by bigger clubs, are providing momentum. Both coaches praised each other’s defensive lines in advance – a rare harmony ahead of a duel in which the ambitions could hardly be more different.
Villarreal – Espanyol info
- Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal
- Date and time: 27.04.2025, 16:15
- Competition: Primera División (matchday 26)
Villarreal form & record check
The 2-1 win at Real Betis seemed to lift Villarreal’s spirits, but the 3-0 defeat in Vigo (including an early sending-off for Bailly) brought the team back down to earth. Four of their last five league games have been high-scoring affairs, but they have only won two of them.
It remains alarming that Villarreal conceded the first goal in four of those games, often before half-time. Yeremy Pino and Ayoze provide danger in attack, but without Akhomach and Buchanan, there is no plan B on the wings. Any weak spell could prove costly in the tight race for Europe.
Marcelino is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested 4-4-2 formation on Sunday: Luíz Júnior will be protected by Femenía, Bailly, Kambwala, and Pedraza. Comesaña and Gueye will anchor the midfield, Denis Suárez will distribute the ball, and Yeremy Pino will provide pace on the wings. Pépé and Barry will lead the line up front. Akhomach and Buchanan are still out, so the options on the wings remain limited.
Espanyol form & record check
Espanyol are almost unrecognizable: they are unbeaten in five games, including a 4-0 win at Rayo and a 2-0 win in Vigo; even in Valencia, they managed a 1-1 draw. The Cabrera/Kumbulla axis and the midfield triangle of Pol Lozano, Urko González, and Edu Expósito provide stability, while Roberto scores almost at will up front and Puado recently returned with a goal.
Remarkably, Espanyol has scored in all five games, led four times at halftime, and rarely conceded more than one goal after the break. Gragera remains the only absentee. With survival in sight, people in Barcelona are suddenly dreaming quietly of more.
Espanyol are also unlikely to stray from their 4-2-3-1 formation. Joan García will start in goal, with Kumbulla and Cabrera forming a solid center back pairing. In front of them, Pol Lozano and Urko González will orchestrate the midfield, while Edu Expósito will act as playmaker. Puado returns to the wing to support Roberto, who is still in fine form in front of goal. Gragera remains the only absentee.
H2H Villarreal – Espanyol Head-to-head & statistics
The head-to-head record provides additional ammunition for Villarreal fans: four wins and one draw in the last five encounters, most recently a 2-1 victory in September 2024. In this series, the Submarino Amarillo scored twelve goals, Espanyol only two. The Pericos have been waiting for years for a win against the Yellow Submarine – perhaps the most exciting myth to be broken on Sunday.
