La Liga 2025-2026: Villarreal-Espanyol, the probable formations
Monday night’s match scheduled at 9 p.m. between Villarreal and Espanyol closes the La Liga round in a challenge that could prove decisive for the European ambitions of both. At the Estadio de la Cerámica two teams looking for continuity will face each other: the hosts to reassert themselves in the fight for the Champions zone, the guests to return to victory after a period of tarnish.
Villarreal comes to the match with some recent difficulties despite its excellent position in the standings: the team in fact occupies fourth place, with 42 points after 21 matches, but is coming off a complicated period in terms of results. The Yellow Submarine has collected only two victories in the last six league games, a negative trend if we take into consideration the’excellent first part of the season. Despite this bad period, the hosts have maintained fourth place in the standings and are currently +4 from Betis, which also has two more games. At home, however, Marcelino García Toral’s team has shown an excellent performance: in 11 home matches they have scored 23 goals, maintaining a good offensive rhythm. The Spanish coach will line up with a 4-4-2: Luiz Junior in goal, a 4-man line with Mourino and Cardona wide, Rafa Marin and Renato Veiga central; Gueye and Pajero in the midfield, Pepe and Moleiro on the flanks; and a 2-man attack with Mikautadze and Gerard Moreno.
Espanyol, for its part, is also experiencing an up-and-down performance phase. The Catalan outfit is sixth in the standings with about 34 points, but has only had one win in the last six league games, showing a drop in confidence in recent weeks. The defense has shown weaknesses conceding goals with ease, and the attack has not always found continuity in offensive solutions. Despite this, the guests remain competitive and can count on a good away performance this season, which so far has seen them earn valuable points away from their stadium.
Technician Manolo Gonzalez will have to do without a few players, Puado has been struggling since the beginning of the year with a knee problem that is not allowing him to find continuity, Romero and Terrats will not be able to take the field for contractual reasons since both are on loan from Villarreal themselves. The coach opts for a 4-2-3-1: Dmitrovic in goal; a 4-man line with El Hilali on the right and Salinas on the left, the centerbacks will be Calero and Cabrera; in the middle Lozano and Urko Gonzalez; Edu Exposito will be in the three-quarter with Dolan and Milla on the flanks to support Roberto’s only point.
Probable Lineups
VILLARREAL (4-4-2): Luiz Junior; Mourino, Rafa Marin, Renato Veiga, Cardona; Pepe, Gueye, Parejo, Moleiro; Gerard Moreno, Mikautadze. All. Marcelino.
ESPANYOL (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Salinas; Lozano, Urko Gonzalez; Dolan, Exposito, Pere Milla; Roberto. All. Gonzalez.
