Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Villarreal
Match Time & Date:
27/04/2023
19:30
Prediction: 1-0
Espanyol
Villarreal will be aiming to make amends for a 2-1 loss to Sevilla when they take on Espanyol in the La Liga round 31. The Yellow Submarine are eager to keep their Champions League hopes alive, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at los Periquitos. Francis Coquelin is out for the rest of the season, while both Alberto Moreno and Etienne Capoue are pushing for recalls to the starting XI.
The Catalans, on the other hand, aim to escape the relegation zone, but given their poor form in April, we do not believe that Villarreal will have a better chance than this to return to winning ways. Defender Brian Olivan is a major doubt, and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off. In the first half of the season the Yellow Submarine defeated los Periquitos thanks to Benjamin Lecomte’s own-goal.
Highlighted Player (Aissa Mandi):
Aissa Mandi is a product of Reims’ youth school. After playing eight matches for Reims II in the 2009/2010 season, he started playing for the first team in 2010. Mandi made his Reims debut against Le Havre on 20 August, 2010 and he remained at Stade Auguste Delaune until 30 June, 2016, when he decided to join Spanish side Real Betis.
The Algeria international, who was born in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, signed a five-year contract with los Beticos which expires on 30 June, 2021. His main position is centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back as well. The right-footed defender made his Algeria debut on 5 March, 2014 and he helped the Algerian national team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Slovenia.
Mandi impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but he scored his first goal for Algeria in a 3-3 draw with Ethiopia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He represented Algeria at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as well.
Highlighted Team (Espanyol):
Espanyol are a Catalan club that plays in Spanish La Liga. Espanyol were founded in 1900 and their original name was Sociedad Espanola de Football. In 1901 the Catalan club changed its name to Club Espanol de Futbol. Los Periquitos used to play in bright yellow shirts in the past, but current colour of the team’s home kit is blue and white.
Espanyol’s fiercest rivals are Barcelona and the two teams face each other in the Catalan derby (Derbi barceloni). Espanyol have always been in Barca’s shadow, but it has to be noted that los Periquitos have won four Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup trophies).
The likes of Raul Tamudo, Jose Maria, Antonio Argiles and Mauricio Pochettino are players with most appearances for the Catalan outfit. Espanyol play their home games at Estadio Cornella-El Prat and the capacity of the stadium is 40,500. Los Periquitos have never participated in the Champions League.
Lille 
Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal 
PSV
Aston Villa 
Club Brugge
Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid 
Athletic Bilbao 
AS Roma 
Frankfurt
Ajax
