Villarreal vs Espanyol prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-03-02 20:00.
[p]After missing out on European qualification last season, an in-form Villarreal look almost certain to return to continental football in 2025/26. Marcelino’s side opened up a nine-point gap to sixth place by beating nearest challengers Rayo Vallecano 1-0 last time out, extending their unbeaten run to six league games (W4, D2) in the process. [/p]
[p]One of the main reasons behind the Yellow Submarine’s recent form is tightening up a previously leaky defence. They’ve still only kept three clean sheets over the course of the campaign, a joint-low for the division, but two of those have come since mid-January. Expect goals here as Villarreal, also unbeaten in four at home (W2, D2), have conceded 35 times in La Liga, a record worse than eight of the other nine teams in the top half of the table ahead of this round.[/p]
[p]Looking to take advantage will be opponents Espanyol, although history suggests travelling fans should not hold out too much hope. Heading into this weekend, only one team has picked up fewer away points than the Parakeets, who have registered just one league win on the road all season (D2, L9), while their measly total of seven goals on their travels is a joint-low for the Spanish top flight.[/p]
[p]Their sole victory on their travels came last time out though, winning 1-0 against fellow-strugglers Alavés in a vital game. That helped provide Manolo González’s men with some breathing room in their battle against the drop, but the fact they have been beaten in four successive H2Hs, including losing 4-2 and 5-1 on their last two trips to Estadio de la Cerámica, suggests they may struggle to extend that advantage this weekend.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Ayoze Pérez, who has netted in three of Villarreal’s last four games, has lost just two of the last 24 fixtures in which he has scored (W16, D6). Attempting to thwart him will be Espanyol defender Leandro Cabrera, who has won just one of his six H2Hs (D2, L3) in La Liga, with his side conceding at least twice in three of those matches.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ahead of this round, 19 of Villarreal’s 25 La Liga fixtures this season have seen both teams score, a high for the division.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]