Leganes vs Villarreal Predictions

Two points from a possible nine to start the season was hardly what the doctor ordered for Villarreal after a disappointing 14^th place finish in 2018/19; however a 2-2 home draw against Real Madrid last time out represented a decent step forward for Javier Calleja’s side.  El Submarino Amarillo will be optimistic that they can build on that result this weekend to gain their first win of the campaign against a Leganes side who they have beaten in each of the last four meetings between the teams.

Goals from Gerard Moreno and summer acquisition Moi Gomez looked to have sealed a fine victory over Real a fortnight ago, but Los Merengues eventually escaped from Estadio de la Ceramica with a point courtesy of a Gareth Bale equaliser five minutes from time.

Villarreal’s overall performance will have pleased boss Javier Calleja as El Submarino Amarillo were the better side for much of the contest, although the 41 year-old will be deeply frustrated at the result and his team’s apparent inability to hold onto a lead.

Villarreal have thrown points away from winning positions in every match so far this season and that’s why they go into this Saturday’s fixture 16^th in the early La Liga table.

Calleja’s side have shipped eight goals in their three games so far which is a major concern, although this weekend’s clash at Butarque offers Villarreal a decent chance to not only get a win on the board, but to start shoring things up defensively as well.

Hosts Leganes have failed to score in each of their last five home La Liga matches, a run which has included 0-1 defeats to Osasuna and Atletico Madrid in the first two weeks of a the season.

A 2-1 loss at Real Betis last time out means that Los Pepineros are rock bottom of the standings heading into Matchday 4 and boss Mauricio Pellegrino desperately needs a result here with pressure mounting on the Argentine.

Lega possess a terrible recent record though against Villarreal having lost each of the last four encounters in all competitions and we envisage Saturday’s clash ending with a similar outcome, factoring in that trend and the standard of performances turned in by the teams prior to the international break.

Villarreal should start climbing the table if consistently able to produce what they showed against Real Madrid and El Submarino Amarillo have far more quality than Lega in their starting eleven. In contrast, the hosts have signalled nothing as of yet to suggest that they are in a false position.

It’s an obvious concern that Villarreal are struggling defensively and have won just three of their last 17 La Liga games on the road, but Leganes’ aforementioned troubles at home and in front of goal outweighs those worries and our support is with the visitors this weekend.

Three of the last four meetings have finished 2-1 to El Submarino Amarillo and we’re predicting the same scoreline here, as Villarreal’s defensive problems offer Leganes a decent chance to finally get on the scoresheet at home, even though we think that Los Pepineros will be second best over the 90 minutes.