Villarreal vs Espanyolprediction and how to watch
Prediction and how to watch for Villarreal vs Espanyol: everything you need to know before the game.
Villarreal host Espanyol at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Friday 30 October, with kickoff at 2pm in Mexico City (8pm GMT), in LaLiga matchday 11.
The hosts sit 10th on 12 points. The visitors are 18th on eight, four points behind.
Match preview
Villarreal arrive on a two-game winning run. They won 2-1 at Valencia in LaLiga on 24 October and thrashed Manacor 5-0 in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.
Before that, they lost 4-3 to Liverpool in the Champions League and drew 0-0 at home to Elche. They had beaten Napoli 3-1 in Europe on 13 October.
The Yellow Submarine have been inconsistent at the Cerámica in the league, taking one win, one draw and two defeats from four home games, with six goals scored and six conceded. On the road they have two wins, two draws and two defeats.
Georges Mikautadze is their top scorer with three goals. Villarreal are 10th with a goal difference of +1 and host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on 3 November, so the schedule is demanding.
Espanyol are in poor form. They lost 4-3 to Sestao River in the Copa del Rey, 2-1 at Racing Santander and 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid, having drawn 1-1 at Malaga before that. Across their last five games they have taken one draw and four defeats.
The Catalans are 18th on eight points with a goal difference of -2, which is a relegation place. Away from home they have won one, drawn one and lost three, scoring six and conceding seven.
Roberto Fernandez is their main attacking reference with six goals. Espanyol have also shipped three against Elche and four against Sestao River.
History favours Villarreal. They have won the last five LaLiga meetings: 4-1 on 9 February 2026, 2-0 in November 2025, 1-0 in April 2025, 2-1 in September 2024 and 4-2 in April 2023. They scored 13 and conceded four.
The hosts want to climb the table. The visitors need points to move out of the bottom three, and this game opens matchday 11.
Villarreal · recent results
- WManacor 0-5 Villarreal
- WValencia 1-2 Villarreal
- LLiverpool 4-3 Villarreal
- DVillarreal 0-0 Elche
- WVillarreal 3-1 Napoli
Espanyol · recent results
- LSestao River 4-3 Espanyol
- LRacing Santander 2-1 Espanyol
- LEspanyol 0-1 Atletico Madrid
- DMalaga 1-1 Espanyol
- LEspanyol 1-3 Elche
Key stats
Trends · last 5 matches
Team news
Villarreal will be without Pape Gueye, who is suspended after his red card at Mestalla. Ilias Akhomach is still dealing with physical problems and is not expected to be available.
Carlos Romero and Nathan Saliba returned to group training, although their involvement depends on the matchday squad. Nicolas Pepe is back after recovering, but his place in the XI is in doubt. With Gueye out, Carlos Macia is in contention to partner Santi Comesana in midfield. Mikautadze is the main option up front, with Gerard Moreno and Ayoze Perez also available.
At Espanyol, Kike Garcia is out with a hamstring injury and Jofre Carreras is also unavailable with a groin problem. Probable XIs in the Spanish press place Bryan Zaragoza, Roberto Fernandez and Tyrhys Dolan in the visitors' attack.
We think Villarreal will win 2-0. The hosts have won their last two matches and face an Espanyol side that lost four of their last five and has conceded seven away from home. Gueye's absence costs them some power in midfield, but recent head-to-head results and superior attacking quality should count.
Quick questions
What time is Villarreal vs Espanyol?
It kicks off on Friday, October 30 at 2:00 PM (Mexico City time) at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Where can I watch Villarreal vs Espanyol?
Mexico: Sky Sports (Sky e izzi). USA: ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.
Who is in better form for Villarreal vs Espanyol?
In their last 5 games, Villarreal have 3 wins and Espanyol have 0 wins.
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