Racing Santander will play their first match in La Liga 2026/27, after ending a 14-year absence from the top flight. They’ll be targeting a positive start against Villarreal at El Sardinero.

Transfer business offers genuine hope for Racing Santander

After claiming the Segunda División title last season, Racing Santander are trying to build a squad capable of competing at the higher level. They made a bold move this week by adding keeper Julen Agirrezabala permanently from Athletic Club. The 25-year-old is ready to go straight into the team.

They’ve also added experience and real technical quality in midfield by signing Santander-born Sergio Canales, who last played for his hometown club 16 years ago.

Forwards Giorgi Guliashvili and Yassir Zabiri are fitness doubts on matchday one, so Asier Villalibre is set to lead the line. He netted 16 times in 31 appearances on loan at the Cantabrian club last term.

Racing Santander predicted lineup vs Villarreal (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala; Mantilla, Felipe, Ramón, Salinas; Gueye, Puerta; Martín, Canales, Vicente; Villalibre.

Mikautadze to lead the way as new era begins at Villarreal

Iñigo Pérez takes charge of a competitive Villarreal match for the first time, having left Rayo Vallecano in the summer. He has a stronger squad to work with at his current club, with the Yellow Submarine also competing in this season’s Champions League.

There are no notable fitness concerns for the visitors, who are probably going to use a 4-2-3-1 system under their new coach, as opposed to Marcelino’s 4-4-2. Georges Mikautadze is the first-choice striker, after netting 13 goals in 32 league appearances during his debut season in Spain.

The big selection call for Pérez is in goal. Luiz Júnior wasn’t entirely convincing last season. Péter Gulácsi is hoping to take his place, after completing a move from RB Leipzig.

Villarreal predicted lineup vs Racing Santander (4-2-3-1): Gulácsi; Mouriño, Foyth, Veiga, Romero; Gueye, Comesaña; Pépé, Moreno, Moleiro; Mikautadze.

Racing Santander vs Villarreal Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Over 2 goals
  • Odds: 1.38 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Racing Santander 2-3 Villarreal
  • 22Bet Booking Code: Q43HK

Key stats:

  • Racing Santander’s league games last term averaged 3.60 goals per game.
  • The Cantabrian club’s 90-goal haul was the best in the 2025/26 Segunda División.
  • Including friendlies, 12 of the past 13 Villarreal fixtures have produced at least two goals.

Racing are an attack-minded team that will take more risks than most newly-promoted clubs. Including their pre-season engagements, all 11 of their most recent encounters have finished with two or more goals.

Villarreal have top-four ambitions and will be targeting all three points at El Sardinero. That will create an open contest, and backing Over 2 goals using the 22Bet bonus of up to 122 $/€ is the smart move. 89% of the Yellow Submarine's away trips in the Spanish top flight last season ended with a minimum of two goals.

Racing Santander vs Villarreal Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Villarreal to score over 1.5 goals
  • Odds: 2.12 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: U1GHK

Despite winning the league, Racing conceded 1.45 goals per 90 minutes in the 2025/26 Spanish second tier. That was more than bottom club Real Zaragoza.

Their defence will be even more vulnerable against stronger opponents this term. With the likes of Mikautadze, Gerard Moreno and Alberto Moleiro in attack, Villarreal are worth backing to score over 1.5 goals at 2.12.

Verdict: Over 2 goals (1.38) — Racing Santander 2-3 Villarreal