Form and Line-up
Marcelino's side have split their performances at the end of the season into two categories: pragmatic away trips (1:1 with Mallorca and Real Oviedo) and vibrant home shows (5:1 against Levante and 2:1 against Celta Vigo). At their Ceramica stronghold the Yellow Submarine are on an impressive run of six straight wins. With an average xG of 1.63, the team are showing outstanding efficiency, scoring 41 goals in 17 home matches (the second-best record). However, despite solid defensive displays at home (15 goals conceded), Villarreal have let in at least once in nine consecutive games at the Ceramica.
Key numbers for Villarreal:
Villarreal have won the first half in six successive home league matches.
The Yellow Submarine have conceded at the Ceramica in the second half in eight of their last nine home games.
Marcelino's team have scored 65 goals this season (the third-best record).
Probable line-up (4-4-2): Arnau Tenas — Santiago Mourino, Rafa Marin, Renato Veiga, Sergi Cardona — Tajon Buchanan, Santi Comesana, Thomas Partey, Alfon Gonzalez — Georges Mikautadze, Tani Oluwaseyi.
Absentees: Ayoze Perez, Juan Foyth, Pau Cabanes (injuries).
Form and Line-up
Luis Garcia Plaza has breathed life into the red-and-whites: two wins in a row, including a comeback 2:1 against Espanyol, have given the team much-needed oxygen. However, the quality of their defending remains catastrophic — 56 goals conceded in 35 rounds, worse only than Levante (57). Away from home Sevilla look helpless: four straight defeats and a dreadful number of errors have led to 12 goals conceded in their last five away fixtures.
Key numbers for Sevilla:
Sevilla have failed to beat Villarreal in five consecutive head-to-head meetings.
The Andalusian club have collected 101 yellow cards — the worst record in the league.
Lucien Agoume and Jose Angel Carmona are the roughest players in La Liga (23 bookings between them).
Probable line-up (4-4-2): Odysseas Vlachodimos — Jose Angel Carmona, Andres Castrin, Kike Salas, Gabriel Suazo — Ruben Vargas, Lucien Agoume, Nemanja Gudelj, Chidera Ejuke — Isaac Romero, Neal Maupay.
Absentees: Marcao, Manu Bueno (injuries).
