Villarreal will play at El Madrigal in front of their fans when they host Athletic Club on Sunday for a La Liga one-on-one clash kicking off at 17:30 GMT.
Key Highlights
Villarreal’s Mixed Form
Villarreal’s underwhelming start to the season has shown signs of an upturn in recent matches. They are unbeaten in the last two matches, a draw and a win.
The Madrigal club will look to maintain the momentum and confidence from the last win when they host Athletic on Sunday by winning and taking the three points.
Athletic club’s Rough Patch
The Basque club have won just once in their last five matches, drawing twice and losing twice. This rough path has seen them lose ground in the top five, dropping to 6th with 18 points, six points behind fourth place.
Their form this season has been relatively average, winning five times, drawing three, and losing three matches. They will look to step up their form ahead of their visit to Villarreal on Sunday.
Bet hereInjury Report
Villarreal CF
Villarreal have not reported fresh injuries in the lead-up to their home match against Athletic Club on Sunday.
This will come as good news for the manager as he looks to pick the best 11 to face Athletic and optimize their chances of getting maximum points.
Athletic Club
Athletic Club will be without their center-back Aitor Paredes for the trip to Villarreal. The 23-year-old is recovering from Lumbago, which has kept him out of action for one match already. He is unlikely to recover in time to be in the matchday squad on Sunday.
Right winger Nico Williams is still recovering from a hamstring he suffered on October 30th. He will be assessed before deciding whether he will take part in the match on Sunday. The 21-year-old forward has missed one match already.
Left-back Yuri Berchiche is also a major doubt for the trip to Villarreal on Sunday. The experienced 33-year-old has been struggling with a calf injury since October 23rd, which has sidelined him for two matches already.
Central midfielder Ander Herrera is also sidelined with a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old has been out of contention since October 22nd; as a result, he has missed three matches for Athletic.
Athletic will also be without center-back Yeray Alvarez as he recovers from an adductor injury. The 28-year-old, who has missed three matches already, is unlikely to be available for the weekend clash away to Villarreal.
Possible Lineups
Villarreal CF
F. Jorgensen; A. Moreno, M. Gabbia, R. Albiol, A. Altimira; A. Baena, D. Parejo, E. Capoue. I. Akhomach; A. Sorloth, G. Moreno
Athletic Club
U. Simon; O. de Marcos, D. Vivian, A. Paredes, I. Garcia de Albeniz; I. Ruiz de Galarreta, D. Garcia; I. Williams, O. Sancet, I. Muniain; G. Guruzeta
Prediction
Villarreal will look to steady their structure and ensure they are solid and compact in their approach against Athletic.
Villarreal have already conceded 18 goals this season, which is relatively high and their Achilles heel so far. A solid approach will provide the basis for their home performance to draw Athletic out and create gaps for the attackers.
The home side will focus on fast counterattacks, especially leveraging their two strikers to open and stretch the Athletic
Athletic Club, who are on a patchy run, will also opt for a pragmatic approach when playing away from home. They will prioritize a shape that gives them solidity and allows them to deal with transition attacks by counter-pressing.
Villarreal’s upturn in form will see them win this home match and make it back-to-back wins in La Liga.
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