Villarreal Vs Eibar
Villarreal Vs Eibar Saturday 19 September 2020 – 15:00 (GMT)
Spanish La Liga
Pick: Villarreal -1.25 (Asian Handicap)
Odds: 27/20
Bookmaker: 888Sport
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 16 September 2020)
Preview: With neither managing to win their opening fixture of the 2020-21 La Liga season, the pressure is on ahead of Saturday’s Estadio de le Ceramica clash. The hosts, Villarreal, are once again a short price to comply, however, this time they are up against historically favourable opposition in the shape of Eibar.
Spanish La Liga Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
Villarreal Preview – Emery can take positives from first-game stalemate?
In their first competitive game under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, Villarreal were forced to settle for a share of the points on Matchday 1 of the new La Liga season after only drawing with newly-promoted Huesca at Estadio de la Ceramica. The hosts created the better of the chances though, and enough of them to warrant the win according to Expected Goals (VIL 2.72 – 0.74 HUE).
The Yellow Submarine were a short price to comply last time out, so were a costly proposition for plenty of backers. Interestingly, they’re at a similar price point here, but for good reason, having posted wins at home to Eibar in each of the previous three La Liga seasons. All three meanwhile were without so much as conceding, while their meeting here in July of last season ended in a comprehensive 4-0 victory for the home side.
So, although some might be wary after their disappointing outcome first time out, there is enough reason to potentially support Villarreal this weekend. Their record at home (W9 D5 L5) was typically solid in 2019-20, however, they were beaten there by three of the eventual bottom four sides, which poses a legitimate concern bearing in mind Eibar finished only 14th and are tipped by many to struggle this season.
Eibar Preview – Another loss in Villarreal in the offing?
A seventh successive season in Spain’s La Liga begun in underwhelming fashion for Eibar after the club from the Basque Country played out a dour 0-0 draw at home to Celta Vigo on Matchday 1. Worryingly, it was the visitors who posed the greater threat throughout, generating twice as much xG (EIB 0.4 – 0.96 CEL) as well as creating the game’s best chance shortly after the break.
Considering just how poor their opening performance was, it really shouldn’t require much from them this weekend to constitute a marked improvement. Then again, that might be easier said than done. Eibar haven’t managed a goal, let alone a point, in either of the past three seasons when visiting Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica. And in their final fixture of 2019-20, posted alarming figures here (VIL 2.91 (4) – (0) 0.73 EIB).
Furthermore, it was at home where Eibar produced the vast majority of their better work last term. In total, only 36% of their overall points were earned away from home, with their away record (W3 D6 L10) ranking only 14th – which, fittingly, was precisely where they finished in the final standings. Meanwhile, only two teams – both of whom were subsequently relegated – averaged fewer goals on the road (14 scored in 19 outings).
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Villarreal Vs Eibar Betting Advice
The opening weekend was another prime example of Villarreal frustrating backers at short odds. Something they did on more than one occasion in 2019-20 as well. This is another similar fixture, although recent meetings here have generally been so one-sided – in favour of the home side, with wins of 3-0, 1-0 and 4-0 across the past three seasons – that it could pay to keep faith in the Yellow Submarine.
Villarreal Vs Eibar – Key Facts
- Villarreal have now won only two of their last six home La Liga matches (W2 D2 L2) following last week’s 1-1 draw at Estadio de la Ceramica with Huesca.
- Last season, Eibar were beaten away from home at each of the top-six teams, losing ‘to nil’ 50 per cent of the time in these matches with a 4-0 scoreline in Villarreal among them.
- Villarreal are targeting their fourth win in a row at home to Eibar in La Liga, with the latter’s most recent win in this fixture coming in April 2017 (2-3).
It’s also worth noting just how unreliable Eibar were away from their Ipurua Stadium last season, with just three out of eleven victories coming on the road. Meanwhile their scoring figures in these games (14 for and 31 against) were among the very worst in the division, failing to net in nine of 19 away matches.
Villarreal racked up plenty of useful chances in their first league appearance of 2020-21, and will likely do so again here. 3-0 Villarreal.
Best Betting Odds – Villarreal Vs Eibar
Villarreal – 3/5 (BetFred)
Draw – 16/5 (Bet365)
Eibar -19/4 (Betway)
