Espanyol score more often before the break away from home, while Villarreal concede more often in the first half at home, making that period the first hinge.
| Time | Villarreal | Espanyol | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.31 05:00 | 1.36 ▾ | 7.00 ▴ | 5.50 |
| 10.31 04:20 | 1.38 ▴ | 6.50 ▾ | 5.25 |
| 10.31 04:10 | 1.36 ▾ | 7.00 ▴ | 5.50 |
| PlayerPlayer | GPGP | GG | AA | RtgRating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alex Freeman(DF) | 3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 7.67 |
Sergi Cardona(DF) | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 7.40 |
Alberto Moleiro(MF) | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 7.07 |
| PlayerPlayer | GPGP | GG | AA | RtgRating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Edu Expósito(MF) | 3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 6.93 |
Hernandez Javier(MF) | 3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 6.27 |
Bryan Zaragoza(FW) | 3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 6.60 |
Villarreal scored 1.6 goals per game in their last 5 games, above their 1.5 this season, while Espanyol conceded 1.8 per game in their last 5, above their 1.4 this season. Espanyol's Edu Expósito has scored 0.33 goals per game in his last 3, above his 0.1 this season. The team figures favour Villarreal's attack, while Expósito offers Espanyol a counter threat.
Villarreal recorded 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in their last 5 home games. They scored 1.8 goals per game in that span, above their 1.5 this season. At home, they scored 5 goals in the first half and also conceded 5 there, with 2 conceded after the break. Their rising scoring rate gives them a route to use home advantage, but first-half defending is a vulnerability.
Espanyol recorded 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses in their last 5 away games. They scored 4 of their 6 goals in the first half, making that their stronger scoring period. Their defensive leak came after the break, with 4 of 7 goals conceded in the second half. A poor away record leaves them needing their first-half attack to count before that late defensive weakness is exposed.
Across the last 4 meetings, Villarreal scored 2.25 goals per game and Espanyol scored 0.5. Villarreal won all 4 of those meetings. Both the scoring record and the series record favour Villarreal, reinforcing the home-win case.
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