Marcelino’s team is having a decent second half of the season. If we take the last 20 matches, Villarreal ranks sixth in La Liga, losing only six times during this period. This still allows the “Yellow Submarine” to contend for European competitions. However, the chances of even reaching the Conference League zone are slim—Villarreal is ninth and trails the top 7 by seven points. In the last round, Villarreal faced Celta Vigo away, a team that has not yet officially secured its place in the elite division for the next season. The “Yellow Submarine” started the match well, opening the scoring early in the game, but immediately found themselves reduced to ten men after Santi Cazorla’s dismissal, ultimately losing 2-3.
If Villarreal needs to make up seven points for European qualification, then Sevilla’s chances of reaching the international arena are only theoretical. They trail the top 7 by 11 points. However, Sevilla’s recent results have been excellent. In the previous round, Kike Flores’ team demolished Granada at their stadium (3-0), securing their fourth victory in the last five games.
