Sevilla are six points off of first-place Atletico Madrid with two games to play. Their title aspirations could be dashed this weekend by dropping points to Villarreal or an Atletico Madrid win or draw against Osasuna.
Villarreal are level on points with fifth-place Real Betis. However, Unai Emery’s team are sixth based on head-to-head results. The Yellow Submarine are coming off of a 2-0 victory against Real Valladolid.
#RealValladolidVillarreal | 0-2 | ⏱️90'+4' | ¡FINAL EN ZORRILLA!¡𝙏𝙍𝙄𝙐𝙉𝙁𝙊 𝘾𝙇𝘼𝙑𝙀 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝘼 𝙀𝙇 𝙎𝙐𝘽𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙊 𝙀𝙉 𝙑𝘼𝙇𝙇𝘼𝘿𝙊𝙇𝙄𝘿 ➕3️⃣! ¡MÁS CERCA DE EUROPA 💪!💛💛 𝔼𝔼𝔼𝔼𝔼𝔼𝔼ℕ𝔻𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝕍𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸ℕ𝕋! 💛💛 pic.twitter.com/QfTM2bU5M0— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) May 13, 2021
#RealValladolidVillarreal | 0-2 | ⏱️90'+4' | ¡FINAL EN ZORRILLA!¡𝙏𝙍𝙄𝙐𝙉𝙁𝙊 𝘾𝙇𝘼𝙑𝙀 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝘼 𝙀𝙇 𝙎𝙐𝘽𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙊 𝙀𝙉 𝙑𝘼𝙇𝙇𝘼𝘿𝙊𝙇𝙄𝘿 ➕3️⃣! ¡MÁS CERCA DE EUROPA 💪!💛💛 𝔼𝔼𝔼𝔼𝔼𝔼𝔼ℕ𝔻𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝕍𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸𝔸ℕ𝕋! 💛💛 pic.twitter.com/QfTM2bU5M0
Emery’s team qualified for the Europa League Final against Manchester United on May 26. The Yellow Submarine will be good value to win that fixture, especially with Manchester United losing back-to-back games in the Premier League.
The Villarreal manager will want to see the team continue their good form in the build-up to the cup final. Sevilla claimed a 2-0 win against Villarreal earlier this season. Lucas Ocampos (penalty) and Youssef En-Nesyri scored on either side of the halftime break.
Sevilla’s last trip to the Estadio de la Ceramica ended in a 2-2 draw as they came from a goal down at halftime. Los Rojiblancos and the Yellow Submarine have seen a number of draws between them.
Five of the last nine games in La Liga between the clubs finished in draws. Five of the last 10 matches between Sevilla and Villarreal ended with both teams scoring. Six of their last 10 games ended with over 2.5 goals tallied.
Sevilla took 13 points from the last 18 on offer in La Liga. They outscored opponents 8-5 during that time. Los Rojiblancos are coming off of a 1-0 win over Valencia in midweek. Villarreal took nine points from the last 18 available to them. They outscored opponents 12-9.
Manager Julen Lopetegui has no new injury issues going into the fixture. He will have a full-strength squad available against Villarreal. Emery doesn’t have the same benefit of having a full-strength team.
Goalie Geronimo Rulli is suspended for the game along with defender Mario Gaspar. Both players will be key in the Europa League Final and giving them a game off won’t hurt Villarreal.
Winger Samuel Chukwueze is in a race to get fit for the Europa League Final. The Nigerian was excellent against Arsenal in the Europa League semifinal and will hope to return to the team at the end of the month of the final.
He will obviously miss Sunday’s game against Sevilla. Defender Juan Foyth is a doubt to play the game.
Sevilla won the reverse fixture between the teams and should claim a victory once more. Villarreal have their eyes on the Europa League Final and it should prevent them from getting points.