Sports Mole previews Saturday's La Liga match between Villarreal and Real Betis, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Villarreal When they face off, they will be looking for a winning way back to Spain's top flight Real Betis Head to Ceramics Stadium on Saturday night.
Yellow Submarine ranks third La Liga standingsFive points behind leaders Real Madrid, the visitors come into the weekend in fourth place, one point adrift of their rivals.
Game preview
Villarreal lost 1-3 away to Real Madrid Ahead of the October international break, it proved to be only their second defeat in La Liga this season, a promising start for the team. Marcelinoside.
Indeed, with five wins, one draw and two losses in eight games, the Yellow Submarine has 16 points, which is enough for third place. The goal this season is definitely to enter the top four.
Marcelino's side are also in the Champions League at the start of the 2025-26 season, having taken one point each from their first two games against Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus, and will be seeking their first win of the season against Manchester City next week.
Villarreal have won three of their last four La Liga games, while they have won two of their last three league games against Real Betis, including a 2-1 victory in the last game in April.
The Yellow Submarine have won 18 of their 48 previous games against Real Betis, who have recorded 19 victories, including a 2-1 victory in the corresponding match in the 2024-25 season.
Real Betis head into the October international break with a 2-1 win over Espanyol, with Sevilla now on four wins from their past five games.
Manuel PellegriniThe team has defeated Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Espanyol in its past three league games and has a total of 15 points, ranking fourth, only one point behind third-placed Villarreal.
Meanwhile, the Green and White have already picked up 4 points from their first two games in the Europa League, so it's been a successful start to the season.
Real Betis' only defeat in any competition this season came against Athletic Bilbao at the end of August and they will also be looking to challenge for a top-four spot in La Liga this season.
Pellegrini's side will be looking to make it four consecutive league wins on Saturday before turning their attention back to the Europa League and an away game against Genk on October 23.
Villarreal La Liga schedule:
DLWWWL
Villarreal form (all competitions):
longWWWWDL
Real Betis La Liga schedule:
DLDWWW
Real Betis status (all competitions):
Dulwich World Wide Web
Team news
Villarreal will be without Santiago Mourinho, who was sent off against Real Madrid, while Logan Costa, Willy Kambuvara, Juan Foyth and Paulo Cabanes are also missing through injury.
Yellow Submarine also needs to check out Gerard Moreno and Ayoze Perezthe home team may be without seven first-team players this weekend.
George Mikotadze The 24-year-old, who has scored three goals in seven games since joining Villarreal, will earn another spot in the frontcourt.
As for Real Betis, Isco Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Nelson Deossa and Sofyan Amrabat remain on the sidelines with a broken leg, while Marc Bartra, Diego Llorente, Nelson Deossa and Sofyan Amrabat are doubtful for the visitors.
Cujo Hernandez, who has scored four goals in nine games this season, will once again feature in the final third of the pitch, with Anthony and Giovani Lo Celso also set to start.
Abboud Ezarzoli should complete Real Betis' attack on Saturday, while Marc Rocca and Pablo Fornals are likely to feature in midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Possible starting XI for Villarreal:
Tenas; Navarro, Vega, Marin, Cardona; Buchanan, Comesana, Gueye, Molero; Pepe Micottadze
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Bellerin, Natan, Gomez, Rodriguez; Rocca, Fornals; Anthony, Lo Celso, Ezarzoli; Hernandez
We say: Villarreal 1-1 Real Betis
Villarreal at home are favorites but the Yellow Submarine will once again be missing some important players and we expect in-form Real Betis to pick up a point this weekend.
For a breakdown of the game's most likely outcomes, scores and more, click here.
No data analysis information
Preview via email
Click here to get Sporting MoleDaily email with previews and predictions for every major match!