Villarreal seek home revival as Espanyol face first match after Manolo Gonzalez exit

Villarreal host Espanyol at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Friday in the 11th round of LaLiga, with both clubs seeking a response for very different reasons. The home side are attempting to move away from mid-table, while Espanyol begin life without Manolo Gonzalez after his departure earlier this week.

Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT on Friday, 30 October 2026. The match will be played at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica.

In France, the game will be shown on DAZN France and Disney+ France. Coverage is also available on DAZN LaLiga and Movistar+ in Spain, Prime Video in Belgium, Premier Sports 1 and Disney+ in the United Kingdom and Ireland, DAZN Italie and 20 Mediaset in Italy, DAZN Allemagne and Prime Video in Germany and Austria, Canal+ Afrique (Canal+ 4) or StarTimes / GOtv in Sub-Saharan Africa, beIN Sports 1 / TOD in MENA and the Middle East, and ESPN+, ESPN Deportes and Prime Video in the United States.

Villarreal hold the recent advantage

The historical record strongly favours Villarreal, who have won each of their past seven meetings with Espanyol. That is the Yellow Submarine’s longest winning run against any club currently in the elite division.

Villarreal have also been particularly effective in this fixture at home, scoring at least four goals in three of their past four victories at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

The recent meetings have produced the following results:

– 9 February 2026, LaLiga: Villarreal 4-1 Espanyol – 8 November 2025, LaLiga: Espanyol 0-2 Villarreal – 27 April 2025, LaLiga: Villarreal 1-0 Espanyol – 26 September 2024, LaLiga: Espanyol 1-2 Villarreal – 27 April 2023, LaLiga: Villarreal 4-2 Espanyol

Contrasting fortunes

Villarreal are 10th in a tightly packed LaLiga table after an important victory at Valencia. That result has partly concealed a difficult start to the campaign, which is their second-worst opening across the past eight seasons.

Their home form remains a concern, however. Villarreal have won only one of the four league matches they have played in front of their own supporters.

Espanyol are 18th and in the relegation places after going six matches without a win. The run ended Gonzalez’s spell in charge after almost 1,000 days, with the decision following a Copa del Rey defeat by Sestao.

The Catalan club now need a reaction if they are to begin climbing away from danger, drawing inspiration from their previous away success at Osasuna.

Villarreal are considered the favourites because of their stronger current momentum and clear superiority in recent encounters. Espanyol, weakened by their Copa del Rey elimination and their position in the relegation zone, face a difficult task against the home side’s attack.

Africafoot’s prediction is Villarreal to win 3-1. The listed odds are 1.42 for a Villarreal victory, 4.75 for a draw and 6.25 for an Espanyol win.