Espanyol vs Villarreal Match Preview & Prediction

Espanyol vs Villarreal predictions, H2H and match preview for this Sunday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups as Pablo Machin begins life as Espanyol boss.

Espanyol vs Villarreal Preview

There’s plenty to look out for here as Espanyol go in search of their first home league points of the season against a Villarreal side that features several players who were involved for Spain over the international break. One of them is La Liga’s joint top scorer Gerard Moreno who is up against his former club here. However much of the focus will be on Pablo Machin who is the new boss of Espanyol.

It’ll be interesting to see whether he immediately tries to change this side around by utilising his usual system that involves attacking wing-backs. A 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 could be the result if that is the case and with Espanyol struggling for any kind of result at home, Machin may waste no time in putting his preferred system in place.

Villarreal meanwhile have shown some promising signs so far this term but still look a little inconsistent. They hammered Betis 5-1 in their most recent home game but went into the international break on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat at newly promoted Osasuna. They have certainly been a good source for entertainment this season at least with La Liga’s second best goalscoring record but third worst defensive one.

The latter will be of frustration to Javi Calleja particularly given his central defensive pairing of Pau Torres and Raul Albiol were among the large Villarreal contingent to be involved with La Roja this week. On paper, they certainly have more quality than Espanyol but the hosts will be hoping that they get something of a reaction from the coaching switch, a move that was largely greeted with optimism amongst the Espanyol fanbase.

Espanyol vs Villarreal Predictions

Score Prediction: 2-2 Draw

This is a tough one to call. Espanyol have been really poor at home so far but Machin is a good appointment. He has a tough job on his hands but there’s a good chance he will get some kind of reaction here and they have enough in the final third to at least ask questions of a Villarreal defence that still doesn’t convince. A score draw looks a likely outcome and there have been plenty of those in this fixture in recent years.

Espanyol vs Villarreal H2H

• Last 6 meetings: 2 Espanyol Wins, 4 Draws.
• Both teams have scored in all of the last 5 meetings.
• Villarreal visited the RCDE Stadium twice last term in league and cup, losing 3-1 on both occasions.
• They haven’t won on any of their last 6 visits with the previous 4 all ending level.

Next up in La Liga: Athletic Club vs Real Valladolid predictions

Predicted Line Ups

Espanyol Team:

Diego Lopez – Lluis Lopez, Calero, Naldo – Pedrosa, Darder, Roca, Corchia – Vargas, Calleri, Melendo (3-4-3)

Villarreal Team:

Asenjo – Quntilla, Torres, Albiol, Pena – Cazorla, Iborra, Anguissa – Ekambi, Moreno, Chukwueze (4-3-3)