Villarreal have won 5 and drawn 1 of their last 10 games, averaging 2.2 goals per match, and have won all six of their most recent league meetings with Espanyol, giving them an edge in form and psychology. Espanyol have taken just one draw and lost five of their last six, with Jofre Carreras and Kike García out and their starting lineup and tactics uncertain. Market and directional signals both point to the hosts, but Villarreal's modest home form and a sizeable draw tendency suggest a narrow home win in a cautious game.