Espanyol vs Villarreal Prediction and Preview – 23/01/16
La Liga preview – Espanyol vs Villarreal prediction.
Javier Lopez returns from a one-match suspension for totting up five yellow cards. The Espanyol right back missed the 3-1 defeat at Getafe and is expected to take his place in the starting lineup on Saturday. Hernan Perez must sit this one out after collecting his fifth yellow card with Gerard Moreno likely to feature out wide. Alvaro Gonzalez will have a fitness test before confirming his participation while Victor Sanchez, Canas and Arbilla are all sidelined.
Villarreal left back Jaume Costa is hoping to be back in contention after missing January’s fixtures with an ankle sprain. Victor Ruiz is suspended which should see Eric Bailly join Mateo Musacchio in the centre of defence. Samu Sanchez, Adrian Lopez and Daniel Bonera are longer term absentees.
Possible Line-ups
Espanyol: 4-2-3-1 formation: P. Lopez; J Lopez, Gonzalez, Roco, Alvarez; Diop, Abraham; Moreno, Sevilla, Perez; Caicedo
Villarreal: 4-4-2 formation: Areola; Gaspar, Musacchio, Bailly, Marin; Santos, Trigueros, Bruno, Suarez; Soldado, Bakambu
Statistics
- Espanyol have won 2 drawn 2 and lost 6 of their last 10 matches
- Villarreal have won 6 drawn 2 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Espanyol have scored an average of 0.7 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Villarreal have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Espanyol’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Villarreal’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Espanyol’s stats have not been helped by playing three games in 11 days against neighbouring Barcelona. Constantin Galca’s side lost both legs of the Copa Del Rey but held La Liga champions to a 0-0 draw at Cornella-El Prat on 2 January. After losing on the road at Eibar (2-1) and Getafe (3-1), Espanyol return to home soil where they are undefeated in the last five in La Liga.
Villarreal have climbed to fourth place in the league with an excellent series of results since the start of December. Their run of six consecutive victories came to an end at El Madrigal last weekend when held 0-0 by Real Betis. Marcelino’s men will be looking to bounce back with their fifth away win of the season.
Villarreal are the form team in La Liga at present and worth following against Espanyol who have only entertained one of the top ten sides so far.
Tips
Villarreal to win at 13/8 with BetVictor
Under 2.5 goals at 11/17 with Marathonbet
Villarreal to win 2-0 at 12/1 with BetVictor
What are your predictions?
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