Villarreal have fallen into a rough patch but are still in the Champions League places in La Liga. Next up is a match against top-six side RCD Espanyol Barcelona, who are also not impressing with their current form.
Villarreal
After 0:2 defeats against Real Betis and Real Madrid, Villarreal picked up a point with a 2:2 draw against Osasuna. A run of three matches without a win has slightly soured the mood, but the hosts are very strong at home. They have recorded eight wins and two defeats in 11 home league matches, and those losses came only against elite clubs – Barcelona (0:2) and Real Madrid. The squad is particularly good in attack, having scored 23 of their 39 league goals at Estadio de la Cerámica.
RCD Espanyol Barcelona
RCD Espanyol Barcelona are going through a difficult spell, with only one point from their last five league matches. Even against relatively modest opponents, the visitors have looked tired and predictable. They drew 1:1 with Levante and lost to Valencia (2:3) and Girona (0:2), all clubs from the lower part of the standings. Their away statistics are not disastrous overall – four wins, three draws and three defeats – but their recent dropped points on the road have come precisely against relegation candidates.
Villarreal vs RCD Espanyol Barcelona Prediction
Head-to-head results are firmly in Villarreal's favour: six consecutive wins with an aggregate score of 15:4, including a 2:0 victory in the first half of the current season. Even taking their recent setbacks into account, they remain the more balanced and higher-quality side, especially at home. RCD Espanyol Barcelona are in crisis and are unlikely to end their losing run here.
