Two defeats in La Liga within eight days, both with a score of 1-2, have likely dashed Villarreal’s hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season. They still look good for European football, with a win over Espanyol, who are in danger of relegation, helping to strengthen their position in the top six. The hosts will begin as favorites, but even a 5-1 victory here last season offers no guarantees, as it was their first home success in meetings with Espanyol since March 2017. After 30 rounds, the team has 14 wins and five draws, which translates to 47 points and sixth place in the standings. Koklen, Kiko, Moreno, Albiol, and Morales, who has a knee injury, will not take the field today.
A 0-0 draw with Cadiz on Friday, combined with other results, left Espanyol two points behind their closest rivals, although it at least broke a run of six straight defeats in La Liga. As they approach a tough run of fixtures including Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, the sooner new boss Luis Garcia can secure his first win, the better. The chances of that success coming today seem unlikely, as they have lost their last four away games in La Liga, with their only two recent league wins on the road coming against fellow strugglers Getafe and Elche. After 30 rounds of fixtures, the visitors have six wins and ten draws, which amounts to 28 points and the 19th position. Olivan, Vidal, and Gori remain sidelined.
