Preview: Villarreal vs. Maccabi Haifa - prediction, team news, lineups

While Villarreal have already qualified for the knockout rounds, the bottom-placed visitors cannot finish in the top two but still have the chance to seal a Europa Conference League spot.

Match preview

After recently being named Pacheta's successor, Marcelino has experienced an encouraging start to his second spell as Villarreal boss, winning three and drawing one of his opening four games.

Marcelino oversaw an extra-time Copa del Rey victory over Zamora, before his side claimed back-to-back home wins over Osasuna and Panathinaikos in the league and Europa League respectively.

The Villarreal head coach then saw his team play out an away draw against his former club Sevilla after Jose Luis Morales scored his seventh goal in four matches to cancel out Kike Salas's opener, and although Ben Brereton Diaz thought he had netted a late winner for the Yellow Submarine, his stoppage-time time effort was ultimately ruled out to ensure the contest ended with a 1-1 scoreline.

They will now turn their focus back to Europa League action, and the 2021-22 winners have already guaranteed their spot in the knockout rounds, having won three of their four group matches (L1).

Although have secured a top-two position, Villarreal will still be looking to claim top spot and an automatic place in the last 16, but to achieve that feat, they need to close the three-point gap to group leaders Rennes, who have played one game more than the Yellow Submarine.

In contrast to their hosts, Maccabi Haifa cannot qualify for the Europa League knockout rounds after failing to win any of their four group matches to leave them bottom of the group with just one point to their name.

After losing to Rennes and drawing with Panathinaikos, the Israeli champions could not take anything from their designated home games against Villarreal and the group leaders, with both matches taking place at neutral venues due to the conflict in their home country.

They fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Yellow Submarine earlier this month, before they were beaten 3-0 in last week's meeting with Rennes.

Although their top-two hopes have been quashed, all is not lost for Maccabi Haifa because they still have the chance to secure a third spot and a place in the Europa Conference League playoff round.

Should they win on Wednesday, Messay Dego's side will move level on points with third-placed Panatiniakos, and such a result, would set up a winner takes all clash against the Greek outfit on matchday six.

Villarreal Europa League form:

L

W

W

W

Villarreal form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

D

Maccabi Haifa Europa League form:

L

D

L

L

Maccabi Haifa form (all competitions):

W

D

L

W

L

W

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Team News

Villarreal will be without Aissa Mandi, Denis Suarez and Yeremy Pino due to injury, while Dani Parejo and Alberto Moreno are doubts after being forced off in Sunday's draw with Sevilla.

Forward Alexander Sorloth is closing in on a return to full fitness, but it remains to be seen whether he will be ready to play a role in Wednesday's encounter.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast, Marcelino could make several changes, with Matteo Gabbia, Etienne Capoue, Manu Trigueros, Ilias Akhomach and Brereton Diaz all in contention to start.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon defender Shon Goldberg, who has missed the last two matches through injury.

Midfielder Show is also set to miss out after he was forced off in the first half of Maccabi Haifa's defeat to Rennes last week.

Frantzdy Pierrot has scored eight goals in 16 competitive appearances this season, and he will be looking to add to that tally when he features up front on Wednesday.

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Reina; Foyth, Gabbia, Cuenca, Pedraza; Akhomach, Comesana, Capoue, Trigueros; Baena, Brereton Diaz

Maccabi Haifa possible starting lineup:

Kaiuf; Sundgren, Seck, Simic, Cornud; Mohamed, Jaber; Khalaili, Chery, Hajaj; Pierrot

We say: Villarreal 3-1 Maccabi Haifa

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