Villarreal – Espanyol

Villarreal host Espanyol at the Estadio de la Cerámica with both sides still jostling for a mid‑table finish. The home side sit 12th with nine points from two wins, three draws and four defeats, their goal balance even at 13‑13, while the visitors occupy 15th place on eight points, having scored eleven and conceded twelve. Villarreal will be looking to capitalize on the slight edge in points and the familiarity of their own turf to climb out of the lower half of the table. Espanyol, meanwhile, will aim to close the gap and improve their goal difference in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter. The head‑to‑head record between the two clubs suggests a balanced clash, with neither side holding a clear recent advantage.