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

While Girona are currently sitting in second position, Villarreal enter the midweek encounter in 12th place after mustering seven points from their six league matches.

Match preview

Villarreal have experienced an eventful start to the new season, which has included a change of manager after Quique Setien was dismissed prior to the international break following three defeats in four games.

Former Real Valladolid head coach Pacheta was named as Setien's replacement, and the new boss quickly got off the mark with a 2-1 victory over Almeria.

However, the honeymoon period lasted just one game, as Villarreal followed a 2-0 defeat to Panathinaikos in the Europa League with an underwhelming 1-1 draw in Saturday's away meeting with Rayo Vallecano after Gerard Moreno's 15th-minute opener was cancelled out by Kike Perez within 60 seconds.

Having conceded 11 goals in their six league games, the Yellow Submarina will need to shore up defensively if they are to stop a free-scoring Girona side.

While Girona have performed impressively in the opening stages of the season, Villarreal have fared well in their recent head-to-head meetings, recording five consecutive victories across all competitions.

After achieving a ninth-place finish in their first season back in the top flight, Girona have gone from strength to strength in the first six games of the new season, winning five consecutive games after drawing with Real Sociedad in their league opener.

With 16 points to their name, Girona are currently are level with league leaders and reigning champions Barcelona, while they have a one-point advantage over third-placed Real Madrid.

Not only have Girona been one of the best-performing teams this season, they have also been one of the most entertaining sides, racking up 16 goals, including nine in their last two matches.

David Lopez, Artem Dovbyk, Ivan Martin, Yangel Herrera and Savio all found the net in Saturday's home meeting with Mallorca, as Michel's side showcased their firepower to record a 5-3 victory.

They now head on their travels for Wednesday's encounter, where they will attempt to claim three consecutive away victories in the top flight for the first time since 2019.

Villarreal La Liga form:

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D

Villarreal form (all competitions):

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Girona La Liga form:

D

W

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Team News

Villarreal midfielder Francis Coquelin remains a long-term absentee, while Jorge Cuenca and Denis Suarez are unlikely to feature due to injury issues.

Pacheta also has doubts over two key players after Spain internationals Alex Baena and Gerard Moreno were forced off in Sunday's draw with Rayo.

Left-back Alfonso Pedraza returns from suspension, and he will replace Alberto Moreno, who is unavailable following his red card at the weekend.

As for Girona, they are missing Borja Garcia and Toni Villa, while there are doubts surrounding the availability of defender Bernardo Espinosa.

After putting five past Mallorca in Saturday's victory, Michel could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup for Wednesday's encounter.

Having found the net in Girona's last two matches, Brazilian winger Savio will continue to pose a threat from the left flank, while Ukraine international Viktor Tsygankov will operate from the opposite side.

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Jorgensen; Foyth, Albiol, Mandi, Pedraza; Trigueros, Comesana, Capoue, Pino; Sorloth, Morales

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; Couto, Lopez, E. Garcia, Blind; Tsygankov, Martin, A. Garcia, Herrera, Savio; Doybyk

We say: Villarreal 1-2 Girona

With Villarreal struggling to meet their usual high standards in the opening stages of the season, we think they could find it tough going against an in-form Girona side.

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