Villarreal – Español: preview
We have the predictions for the match between Villarreal and Español in the context of round 11 of the Spanish League 2026/27.
"Villarreal" is in tenth place, five points from the European competition zone. "Español" occupies the eighteenth position, one point from the 17th relegation spot.
Key points
Villarreal
"Villarreal" finally broke through
Villarreal had a contradictory but brilliant week. After a 0:0 with "Elche", where the "yellow submarine" could score 3‑4 goals, a 3:4 duel with "Liverpool" – "Villarreal" even led with two goals at the start. In the previous round, Villarreal examples won a tough match against "Valencia" (2:1), and then "Manacár" thumped (5:0) in the cup against a second‑reserve team.
The attack of the "yellow submarine" had long been the most unfortunate in the Primera, but it finally broke: in the matches with "Liverpool" and "Valencia" five goals were scored with 3.07 xG – the realization returned.
2. Pepe returned, Romero and Saliba are close to returning
Carlos Romero and Neitan Saliba finish their injury recoveries and train with the squad, although they still do not have medical clearance to play in matches. For Romero it would be a special match: he stood out at "Español" and earned an invitation to "Villarreal". Orias Ahomac suffered an injury in the cup match and will not play, although the severity of his injury is still unknown. Nicolas Pepe, on the other hand, returned in the cup match with "Manacár" after an eye operation, scored a goal and is ready to play in the Primera for the first time since September 20. Pap Guíe will not play due to suspension – he received a red card in the match with "Valencia".
3. "Villarreal" executes late phases powerfully
"Español" chronically loses concentration in the final phases of matches – in each of the last four rounds of the Primera they could have earned points, but finished with three defeats, losing decisive goals after minute 75. Meanwhile, "Villarreal" regularly adds to the final phases: eight of 21 goals in the CL and in the Primera were scored after minute 75. The "yellow submarine" can outscore "Español" in the final, if it does not decide the result earlier.
Español
1. "Español" will play its first match after Manolo González's resignation
In December 2025, "Español" fought for a spot in the CL, but at the end of the 2025/26 season barely maintained its position in the Primera. Manolo González had the chance to correct mistakes, but did not succeed: football without ideas and lack of results – in the last five Primera matches, the "birds" earned only one point, suffering four defeats. The point of decline was the Copa del Rey elimination in the first round against "Celta" from the fourth division – after the subsequent press conference, Manolo González was dismissed. He was replaced by Eder Sarabia, who previously made noise in the Primera with "Elche". But before the match against "Villarreal", Eder will have only one day to meet the team and prepare.
2. Carreras and García injured
Jofre Carreras and Kike García are injured and will not be called up for the match with "Villarreal". But Pere Milla, Unai Núñez and Andoni Gorosabel will return, who missed the cup match for unknown reasons (possibly rests). In the squad Anhel Fortunio will return, who won the competition against Marco Dmitrovich. Sarabia will probably not include the veteran in the lineup – Dmitrovich just received a fourth in the cup against "Celta". Roberto Fernández's strong start does not score in four consecutive Primera matches – fans remember Kike García injured, who resolved last season.
3. "Villarreal" – an uncomfortable rival for "Español" At the brink of decades, "Español" always earned points in matches against "Villarreal", but since then the teams have changed a lot. In the last seven direct meetings with the "yellow submarine", the "birds" suffered seven defeats, the series extends from 2021. Sarabia builds systematic teams with pressure and possession, but in a day he will not – it will be the same team as González, one of the worst in the league at handling pressure. Meanwhile, "Villarreal" occupies third place in the Primera for intensity of pressure.
Estimated lineups
4-4-24-2-3-125Gulacich23Cardona12Weega8Foit3Freeman10Moelero14Comesanja16Masiya17Buekenoen9Mikautazde7Moreno1Fortunio23El Hilaali16Drkushich6Cabre3Hartmann8Exposito10Losaño22Kalatrava28Ernandes15Saragosa9Fernandez
Betting on the trend
In the last six matches with "Español", "Villarreal" won the second half. Bet: second half P1 at 1.68.
In four of the last six matches between "Villarreal" and "Español" fewer than four goals were scored. Bet: TM 3.5 at 1.65.
Forecast
Villarreal vs Español 31.10.2026 00:00
The attack of "Villarreal" had long been the most unfortunate in the Primera, but it finally broke: in the matches with "Liverpool" and "Valencia" five goals were scored with 3.07 xG – the realization returned. Romero and Saliba are close to returning, Pepe returned and already scored in the cup. Additionally, "Villarreal" regularly adds to the end of matches: eight of 21 goals in the CL and in the Primera were scored after minute 75. And "Español" – contrary – loses concentration at the end, losing points in the last four matches due to goals lost after minute 75. In the last five matches, "Español" earned only one point, and then was eliminated from the cup by a fourth‑division team. Manolo González resigned, was replaced by Eder Sarabia, who has only one day to meet the team and prepare for "Villarreal". And it is one of the most uncomfortable rivals: the "birds" lose to the "yellow submarine" in seven consecutive direct encounters. Let us assume they will lose again this time.
Prediction: 3-1
