Preview: Villarreal vs. Girona - prediction, team news, lineups

The Yellow Submarine were held to a 1-1 draw by Celta Vigo in the league last weekend, which has left them in fifth in the table, while Girona occupy 11th, having collected 21 points from their opening 17 matches.

Match preview

Villarreal were well on course to reach the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, as they took a two-goal lead against Real Madrid, but the reigning Spanish and European champions managed to fight back to record a 3-2 victory and advance to the next round of the competition.

The Yellow Submarine did beat Carlo Ancelotti's side in the league earlier this month, but they were held to a 1-1 draw by Celta Vigo in their last match in Spain's top flight.

Quique Setien's side, who have advanced to the knockout round of the Europa Conference League, are currently fifth in the La Liga table, boasting 28 points from their 17 matches.

Villarreal are level on points with fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, but there are only two points separating fourth from ninth-placed Rayo Vallecano, so the picture in the top half could change drastically in a short space of time.

Setien's team have been strong at home this season, picking up 16 points from seven matches, and they will be welcoming a Girona outfit with the fourth-worst away record in Spain's top flight this term, collecting only six points form their eight matches on their travels.

Girona, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 victory over Sevilla in La Liga last weekend, with Yangel Herrera scoring an 88th-minute winner for the hosts.

The result moved Michel's side onto 21 points from 17 matches, which has left them in 11th spot in the table, boasting a record of five wins, six draws and six defeats this term.

The White and Reds secured a return to La Liga through the Segunda Division playoffs last term, and they are back at this level for the first time since 2018-19, which ended in their relegation.

Michel's side have more than held their own in Spain's top flight this season, and they are actually unbeaten in their last seven in the league, which has included three victories.

Girona will also be the fresher of the two teams, having not been in action since last weekend, while they have been victorious in two of their last three league fixtures with the Yellow Submarine.

Villarreal La Liga form:

L

L

W

W

W

D

Villarreal form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

L

Girona La Liga form:

D

W

W

D

D

W

Girona form (all competitions):

W

L

L

D

D

W

Team News

Villarreal will be missing Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolas Jackson, Alfonso Pedraza and Kiko Femenia through injury, while Arnaut Danjuma is unlikely to feature amid the speculation surrounding his future.

Pepe Reina should be back between the sticks after being given a rest in the Copa del Rey, while Jose Luis Morales and Aissa Mandi are expected to come into the XI.

Raul Albiol was substituted at the interval against Real Madrid and will need to be checked ahead of this contest, with Mandi potentially featuring alongside Pau Torres in the middle.

Gerard Moreno provided two assists in Thursday's clash with the Spanish and European champions, and he will again operate at the tip of the attack.

As for Girona, Juanpe, Reinier, Javi Hernandez and David Lopez are on the sidelines through injury, while Ibrahima Kebe is a doubt with a knee problem.

The visitors will be boosted by the return of Valentin Castellanos, though, with the 24-year-old available for selection after being banned against Sevilla.

Herrera's late winner last time out could earn him a spot in the starting side, while David Lopez's spot at the back is expected to be taken by Bernardo Espinosa.

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Reina; Foyth, Mandi, Torres, Mojica; Coquelin, Parejo; Chukwueze, Baena, Morales; G Moreno

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; Martinez, Bueno, Espinosa, Gutierrez; Villa, A Garcia, Romeu, Herrera, Couto; Castellanos

We say: Villarreal 1-0 Girona

Villarreal were involved in an energy-zapping contest with Real Madrid on Thursday, but Girona will be fresh for this match. The visitors are also unbeaten in the league since October 20, but we are expecting Villarreal to secure all three points on Sunday, albeit by the narrowest of margins.

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