Villarreal are back at home on the second weekend of La Liga 2025/26. They won at the Ceramica last time out, and face opposition in the shape of Girona this time around.
Having qualified for the Champions League last term, the Yellow Submarine are in a stronger position than most Spanish clubs in terms of being able to invest in their squad. They’ve already spent €75m on new players, including Renato Veiga who arrived on a club-record deal from Chelsea this week.
He should help bolster their defence, but they were pretty solid in their 2-0 victory over newly promoted Real Oviedo on matchday one. That was apart from a moment of madness from keeper Luiz Junior who brought down a visiting player in the box, but he made up for his error by saving the resulting penalty.
There was no such luck for Paulo Gazzaniga who had an even worse time of it in goal for Girona. He gifted Rayo Vallecano their opening goal and was then sent off on 43 minutes for giving a penalty away in a game the Madrid club went on to win 3-1.
It was a disastrous start to the campaign for the Catalans, who were hoping to draw a line in the sand following a miserable 2024/25 season.
How the bookies view it: Villarreal the odds-on favourites
The bookies expect Marcelino’s side to make it two wins from two. They are priced at 1/2 with Boylesports to do just that, while the draw is on offer at 3/1. You can back Girona to win at 4/1.
Recent head-to-head: A fixture that often favours the team playing away
Curiously, of the last five meetings between these clubs, four have been won by the team playing away. Villarreal have a fabulous record at Montilivi, but they’ve only won one of their last five home games against Girona. The sides drew 2-2 here in December.
Players to watch: Etta Eyong’s time to shine
With some notable attacking absentees for Villarreal, who have also sold Thierno Barry this summer, Karl Etta Eyong has been propelled into a starting role. He scored against Oviedo a week ago, and netted once last term despite clocking up only 34 minutes of La Liga action. You can back the 21-year-old to score anytime at 6/4 in this one with Boylesports.
Predicted Lineups
The hosts are missing forwards Gerard Moreno and Ayoze Perez to injuries. Defenders Logan Costa and Willy Kambwala are also sidelined.
Gazzaniga serves a suspension for Girona after his opening match nightmare. Donny van de Beek and Abel Ruiz are also out injured.
Villarreal: Junior, Cardona, Marin, Foyth, Mourino, Pino, Comesana, Gueye, Buchanan, Pepe, Etta Eyong.
Girona: Krapyvtsov, Blind, Reis, D. Lopez, A. Martinez, Herrera, Martin, Roca, Lemar, Tsygankov, Stuani.
Anything else catch the eye?
Girona were 3-0 down by half-time in a match they were favourites to win in what was the very first match of La Liga 2025/26. They have the feel of a side that has totally lost their soul since a brilliant third-place finish two seasons ago.
While the Yellow Submarine do have some selection issues, they still quickly took command against Oviedo last time out, and a repeat looks likely here.
You can back Villarreal/Villarreal at 11/8 with Boylesports in the HT/FT market. Meanwhile, Villarreal and under 3.5 goals is on offer at 7/5.
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