The Yellow Submarine visit one of the league’s most in-form sides after the setback in Cyprus (Saturday, 9pm CET)
Villarreal CF return to domestic competition this weekend, visiting RCD Espanyol, one of the standout teams in LALIGA EA Sports (Saturday, 9pm CET). The Yellows approach this important clash with the ambition to maintain their excellent league form under Marcelino and to move on from their setback in the UEFA Champions League against Pafos FC.
The Submarine are eager to get back into the rhythm of LALIGA EA Sports and focus on earning a positive result in Barcelona. Marcelino’s men currently sit third in the table, a position built on a string of strong results, including their most recent victories against Valencia CF (0-2) and Rayo Vallecano (4-0). In both matches, the team not only found their scoring touch but also kept clean sheets, showing both attacking efficiency and defensive solidity.
Meanwhile, RCD Espanyol have been one of the revelations of the early season. Sitting sixth with 18 points, the Catalan side are pushing for European qualification. Led by Manolo González, Espanyol are a tough, competitive opponent with a clear identity based on intensity, quick transitions and direct attacking play
Ayoze, the standout performer in the last meeting at the RCDE Stadium
If there was one player who stood out in the most recent Espanyol vs Villarreal clash, it was Ayoze Pérez. At the Blanquiazul stadium, the forward, who had just arrived at the Yellow Submarine, showed his killer instinct by scoring a brace.
Thanks to the two goals from Villarreal’s No.22, the Submarine came from behind to win a match they had started losing after conceding to Jofre Carreras just before half-time.
In previous seasons, Villarreal also earned hard-fought victories at the RCDE Stadium. In the 2022/23 campaign, the Yellows won 0-1 thanks to an own goal by Lecomte, while in 2019/20, they also triumphed by the narrowest of margins, with Toko Ekambi scoring the decisive goal.
Battle of unexpected scorers: Milla vs Buchanan
The top scorers for both sides this season are two players who, while not traditional centre-forwards, have shown great scoring ability. For Espanyol, Pere Milla leads the charts with four goals so far — a versatile forward who can operate both centrally and on the wings.
Matching that tally is Villarreal’s Tajon Buchanan, who already knows what it feels like to score against a Catalan side. The Canadian forward produced one of his best performances of the season in the 5-0 victory over Girona at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
