Key Facts
- Villarreal, currently third in the table with 69 points, is in the fight for a top-three finish; Sevilla, with 40 points, remains at risk of relegation.
- Six consecutive home wins show Villarreal to be strong in front of their home crowd, though Villarreal conceded at least one goal in each of those games.
- Head-to-head: Villarreal is unbeaten in the last five meetings (4 wins, 1 draw); all five matches saw goals scored by both sides.
- Villarreal has scored before halftime in each of its last five home games and led at halftime four times—Marcelino’s team often dominates early on.
- Sevilla’s away struggles continue: Despite recent home wins, the visitors have lost their last two away matches.
- Marcão is out, noticeably weakening Sevilla’s central defense and making the backline more vulnerable, especially against Villarreal’s early attacks. Akor Adams remains Sevilla’s most dangerous offensive threat as a second-half substitute.
Unbeaten at home since late January, Villarreal heads into this matchup with plenty of confidence. Sitting in third place with 69 points, the hosts are fighting to cap off a strong season with a top-three finish, while Sevilla, with 40 points, remains mired in the relegation battle. While two recent home wins have boosted the visitors’ morale, these positive signs are less reliable when it comes to away performances. Defensively, Villarreal has been solid and unbeaten over their last five league games, which speaks to their controlled play and high standards in the final third. Sevilla is expected to defend compactly and create opportunities through counterattacks and set pieces. The home team has the better creative options and is likely to generate more possession and more scoring chances, while Sevilla will try to force mistakes and create opportunities through quick transitions.
- Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal
- Date and Time: May 13, 2026, 7:00 PM
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 36)
The betting market sees Villarreal as a clear, albeit not overwhelming, home favorite, which opens up more interesting angles beyond the mere match result. The hosts’ halftime lead, in particular, deserves a closer look, as Marcelino is likely to bring back his regular starters, and his team usually comes out of the locker room strong.
Villarreal Form & Record Check
The 1-1 draw at Mallorca wasn’t a stellar performance by Villarreal, but it showed why the team’s current league form is holding up. Ayoze Pérez converted from the spot, Arnau Tenas made the mistake that led to the equalizer, but then bounced back with key saves.
Santi Comesaña described the second half afterward as grueling, which carries some weight given the short turnaround time following Marcelino’s rotations. The underlying pattern remains solid. Villarreal has secured three wins and two draws from their last five league matches, including home victories against Levante and Celta Vigo, and is now on a six-game home winning streak. However, the team has conceded at least one goal in each of those matches, which is why Juan Foyth’s continued absence is a defensive concern to keep an eye on.
Marcelino is likely to move closer to his starting lineup again, with Villarreal probably playing a 4-4-2. Arnau Tenas is expected to start in goal, with Santiago Mouriño, Logan Costa, Renato Veiga, and Sergi Cardona in front of him. Juan Foyth remains sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, which is why Santiago Mouriño seems set to start as the defensive substitute. Pau Cabanes is also injured, so Georges Mikautadze and Ayoze Pérez are likely to form the attacking duo.
Sevilla Form & Record Check
Sevilla’s week has shifted the mood, not the certainty. The 2-1 comeback against Espanyol, secured by Andrés Castrín and Akor Adams, followed a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad and gave Luis García a foothold after a worrying slump. But both wins came at the Nervión, and this away trip poses different challenges for a team that has recently lost at Levante and Osasuna. Squad management is delicate. Luis García prioritized recovery before departure; Marcão and Manu Bueno are out, while Isaac Romero is struggling with discomfort. Akor Adams is the obvious wild-card option after another decisive goal as a substitute, but Sevilla cannot rely solely on late drama. League form has improved, yet the away record remains the uncomfortable part of the equation in the relegation battle.
Sevilla are likely to line up in a 4-4-2, with Odysseas Vlachodimos in goal and a back four of José Ángel Carmona, César Azpilicueta, Kike Salas, and Gabriel Suazo. With Marcão and Manu Bueno out, Lucien Agoumé and Batista Mendy should anchor the midfield. If Isaac Romero is rested, Akor Adams could start up front alongside Neal Maupay.
Villarreal – Sevilla Head-to-Head & Stats
The head-to-head record from recent matches clearly favors Villarreal. They have remained unbeaten in their last five encounters, with four wins and one draw. This includes a 2-1 away win in September 2025 and a 4-2 home win in May 2025, followed by earlier encounters featuring 2-1 and 3-2 wins from 2024 and a 1-1 draw from 2023. The scoring pattern is just as revealing as the results themselves. In all five matches, both teams scored, and every game saw more than 1.5 goals. Villarreal scored at least one goal after halftime in each of these encounters, while Sevilla conceded after the break in all five matches during the same period. A very interesting note for anyone keeping an eye on late goals.
