Villarreal vs Espanyol Prediction and Preview – 28/08/15
La Liga preview – Villarreal vs Espanyol prediction
Villarreal are without Mateo Musacchio and Sergio Asenjo for the visit of Espanyol in La Liga. Both players are injured, whereas Bruno misses out due to suspension, after picking up a red card against Real Betis in the opening game of the season. Manu Trigueros is the favourite to come in to the team in place of Bruno.
The only doubt for Espanyol, is Alvaro Gonzalez who broke his nose on the opening weekend of the season but should be passed fit to play. Marco Asensio, who has joined on loan from Real Madrid, could start on the right side of midfield although Hernan Perez may get the nod.
Possible Line-ups
Villarreal: 4-4-2 formation: Areola; Mario, Bailly, Ruiz, Costa; Nahuel, Pina, Trigueros, Castillejo; Soldado, Baptistao
Espanyol: 4-2-3-1 formation: Pau; Arbilla, Raillo, Gonzalez, Duarte; Lopez, Sanchez; Perez, Sevilla, Burgui; Caicedo
- Villarreal have won 5, drawn 4 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Espanyol have won 3, drawn 4 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Villarreal have scored an average of 1.3 goals and conceded an average of 0.9 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Espanyol have scored an average of 1 goal and conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Villarreal’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Espanyol’s previous 10 matches
- Espanyol won this fixture 3-0 last season
Villarreal started the season with a 1-1 draw at Real Betis and will be looking to build on that point against Espanyol at El Madrigal. Although not the winning start to the season the team would have wanted, the fact that striker Roberto Soldado got off the mark is a huge bonus. If the former Spurs striker can get over his poor form in the Premier League, he could be a real asset this season.
Espanyol started the new La Liga season with a solid 1-0 win over Getafe at the Power8 Stadium. An early goal, after just 3 minutes for Salva Sevilla was enough to take the points and give Espanyol the perfect start to the season. If Sergio Soriano’s team can keep out Villarreal on Friday night, they could make the perfect start to their 2015/16 campaign.
However, Villarreal at El Madrigal is a different proposition entirely and despite winning 3-0 there last season, it won’t be so easy this time around and a low scoring draw could be in prospect.
We say: Draw and under 2.5 goals at 7/2 with Bet365
What are your predictions?