Match Information
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Match Overview
Villarreal host Deportivo La Coruna at Estadio de la Ceramica on September 5 in Regular Season - 4, a fixture that arrives with the two sides trending in opposite directions early in the campaign. Villarreal sit 15th in the table, while Deportivo La Coruna occupy 7th, and that eight-place gap is already reflected in how each team has performed through the opening rounds.
Recent league form is the clearest storyline here. Villarreal have failed to win any of their last three La Liga outings, losing 1-0 away to Alaves on August 28 and drawing 2-2 with both Atletico Madrid on August 23 and Racing Santander on August 16. That run of one point from a possible nine in matches away from home has them searching for their first league win of the season heading into this home fixture. Deportivo, by contrast, have picked up back-to-back positive results, drawing 1-1 with Elche on August 17 and 1-1 away to Malaga on August 24 before a 3-1 home win over Valencia on August 30, a result that underlines a growing attacking threat under Antonio Hidalgo.
Squad availability is not a complicating factor for either side. Villarreal, under Inigo Perez, have no reported injuries, meaning the manager can select from a fully fit squad and is likely to stick close to the same personnel that started the loss at Alaves. Deportivo La Coruna similarly have a clean bill of health, allowing Hidalgo to continue with the group that has driven their unbeaten league run since August 17.
With Villarreal winless in the league and Deportivo unbeaten across their last three La Liga matches, this Matchday 4 meeting pits a struggling home side against a visiting team building momentum, with both able to name their strongest available squads.
Predicted Lineups
Villarreal
Luiz Junior; S. Mourino, J. Foyth, R. Veiga, C. Romero; N. Pepe, S. Comesana, P. Gueye, T. Buchanan; G. Moreno, G. Mikautadze
Deportivo La Coruna
L. Roman; X. Navarro, L. Noubi, B. Ede, G. Quagliata; Cruz Luismi, M. Soriano, L. Amatucci, R. Rodriguez; B. Nsongo, P. Aubameyang
Team Form Analysis
Villarreal
League Position: 15Villarreal Form Analysis
Villarreal head into this match without a win in their last three La Liga fixtures, a stretch that has seen them collect just two points from a possible nine. The 1-0 defeat away to Alaves on August 28 was preceded by consecutive 2-2 draws against Atletico Madrid on August 23 and Racing Santander on August 16, both away from home. Those two draws show an attack capable of scoring against quality opposition, having netted twice in each match, but the defense has also conceded twice in both games, and they were shut out entirely at Alaves. Prior to the league season, Villarreal did show promising attacking form in pre-season friendlies, beating Galatasaray 2-1 away on August 8 and Levante 1-0 at home on August 5. Currently sitting 15th in La Liga, the underlying trend is a team yet to find defensive solidity or a first league victory of the campaign, making this home fixture an important opportunity to arrest that slide in front of their own supporters.
Deportivo La Coruna
League Position: 7Deportivo La Coruna Form Analysis
Deportivo La Coruna arrive in good form, unbeaten in their last three La Liga matches. They opened with a 1-1 home draw against Elche on August 17, followed by another 1-1 result away at Malaga on August 24, before an impressive 3-1 home win over Valencia on August 30 that produced their best attacking display of the season so far. That victory suggests a team growing in confidence and cutting edge in front of goal. Defensively, Deportivo have shown resilience, conceding just once in two of their three league outings, though the Valencia match did see one goal shipped despite the comfortable scoreline. Their sole defeat in the recent run came in a 1-0 friendly loss to Real Madrid on August 12, a fixture that carries little bearing on league form. Sitting 7th in the table, Deportivo's combination of attacking output and defensive discipline under Antonio Hidalgo has them well placed as they travel to face a Villarreal side still searching for consistency.
Head-to-Head
Villarreal
Deportivo La Coruna
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-05-12 | Deportivo La Coruna | 2 - 4 | Villarreal |
| 2018-01-07 | Villarreal | 1 - 1 | Deportivo La Coruna |
| 2017-05-14 | Villarreal | 0 - 0 | Deportivo La Coruna |
| 2017-01-14 | Deportivo La Coruna | 0 - 0 | Villarreal |
| 2016-05-08 | Villarreal | 0 - 2 | Deportivo La Coruna |
| 2016-01-03 | Deportivo La Coruna | 1 - 2 | Villarreal |
| 2015-05-02 | Deportivo La Coruna | 1 - 1 | Villarreal |
| 2014-12-21 | Villarreal | 3 - 0 | Deportivo La Coruna |
| 2011-02-13 | Deportivo La Coruna | 1 - 0 | Villarreal |
| 2010-09-23 | Villarreal | 1 - 0 | Deportivo La Coruna |
Memorable Matches
These two sides have a long history stretching back over a decade, with several high-scoring and tightly contested meetings. The May 12, 2018 clash saw Villarreal come from behind territory to win 4-2 away at Deportivo La Coruna, a game that showcased attacking quality on both sides. Earlier meetings included a 3-0 Villarreal home win on December 21, 2014, one of the more one-sided results in the fixture's history. The sides have also produced tighter contests, including scoreless draws in both legs of the 2016-17 season on January 14, 2017 and May 14, 2017, reflecting periods where the two teams were more evenly matched defensively.
Venue Factor
Estadio de la Ceramica provides the setting for this Regular Season - 4 encounter, with Villarreal looking to their home supporters for a lift after a winless run in league play. Home venues carry added significance for a side searching for its first league victory of the season, and the atmosphere generated by the Villarreal faithful could play a role in shifting momentum after back-to-back away draws and a loss on the road. For Deportivo La Coruna, this represents a trip away from home having been unbeaten in their last three league matches, two of which came on the road or in away form contexts including the draw at Malaga. Traveling with confidence following their 3-1 win over Valencia on August 30, Deportivo will need to handle the atmosphere at a venue where Villarreal will be eager to reassert themselves in front of their own fans.
Injury Concerns
Villarreal
Deportivo La Coruna
