Sevilla vs Villarreal: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups – La Liga

Sevilla vs Villarreal: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups – La Liga Matchday 6 Preview

September 22, 2025 – As La Liga 2025/26 heats up, Sevilla FC host Villarreal CF at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium on Tuesday, September 23, in a midweek clash that could define both teams' early-season trajectories. Sevilla, under new boss Matías Almeyda, are riding a three-game unbeaten streak and sit eighth in the standings with seven points from five matches (two wins, one draw, two losses). Just three points off fourth-placed Espanyol and the European spots, the Andalusians are desperate for their first home win of the campaign to build momentum ahead of a tricky run-in against Rayo Vallecano.

Meanwhile, the Yellow Submarine, coached by Marcelino García Toral, boast an impressive start, accumulating 10 points from three wins, one draw, and one loss, placing them third. Fresh off a 2-1 comeback victory against 10-man Osasuna, Villarreal are confirming last season's fifth-place finish that secured Champions League qualification. However, with a congested schedule—including upcoming La Liga tests against Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid, plus European ties with Juventus and Manchester City—the pressure is on to secure an away win and maintain pace at the top.

This fixture pits two sides with contrasting vibes: Sevilla's gritty resurgence against Villarreal's clinical efficiency. With only three points separating them, expect a tactical chess match where recent form, head-to-head dominance, and key individual battles could tip the scales.

Match Preview: Form, Key Stats, and Tactical Insights

Sevilla's Revival Under Almeyda

Matías Almeyda's tenure began shakily with opening losses to Athletic Club and Getafe, but Sevilla have since ignited with back-to-back away wins over Girona and Alavés sandwiching a 2-2 home draw against Elche. Their latest triumph—a 2-1 success at Alavés—saw Rubén Vargas open the scoring before Carlos Vicente equalized, only for Alexis Sánchez to net the winner at 36 years and 275 days old, making him Sevilla's third-oldest La Liga scorer this century.

The Rojiblancos average 1.8 goals scored per game but leak 1.6 at the back—a defensive frailty Almeyda is targeting. Home form remains a concern: no wins in their first two league games at the Sánchez-Pizjuán (a loss to Getafe and draw with Elche), extending a winless streak in four since a 2-1 triumph over Villarreal in April 2023. Still, three straight positives have them unbeaten in their last three league outings (W-D-W).

Sevilla La Liga Form (Last 5): L L W D W

Villarreal's Submarine Sails Strong, But Away Wobbles Loom

Marcelino's men opened with home wins over Real Oviedo and Girona before a mixed away run: a draw at Celta Vigo, a loss to Atlético Madrid, and a Champions League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. They bounced back with Saturday's 2-1 home win over Osasuna, where Georges Mikautadze and Pape Gueye overturned an early deficit.

Prolific upfront (2.0 goals per game) and stingy at the rear (0.8 conceded, third-best in La Liga tied with Barcelona and Real Madrid), Villarreal have nine of their 10 points at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Away, it's tougher: one draw and two losses in three trips, scoring once and conceding four. They're winless in their last two league away games and risk three straight without a victory for the first time since January 2024.

Villarreal La Liga Form (Last 5): W W D L W
Villarreal Form (All Comps, Last 6): W W D L L W

Tactically, this could be cagey. Sevilla will press high to exploit Villarreal's away fatigue, leaning on Vargas's creativity (1 goal, 3 assists). Villarreal, with their balanced 4-4-2, will counter through Buchanan's pace and Pepe's guile, but breaking Sevilla's improving resolve won't be straightforward. BetMines algorithms give Villarreal a slight edge (37% win probability vs. Sevilla's 36%, 28% draw), but under 2.5 goals looks value at 59% probability—both sides prioritize avoiding defeat amid packed schedules.

Goals Ratio (La Liga 2025/26, Avg. Per Game)
	Sevilla	Villarreal
Goals Scored	1.8	2.0
Goals Conceded	1.6	0.8

Head-to-Head: Villarreal's Recent Dominance

Villarreal hold the upper hand in recent clashes, winning the last three encounters across all competitions and scoring 2+ goals in each. Both teams have scored in the last seven meetings, underscoring the fixture's end-to-end nature. Sevilla's last home win came in April 2023 (2-1), and they've won just three of their last 16 league games overall.

Date	Competition	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Winner
25/05/2025	La Liga	Villarreal	2-1	Sevilla	Villarreal
24/08/2024	La Liga	Sevilla	1-2	Villarreal	Villarreal
11/05/2024	La Liga	Villarreal	3-2	Sevilla	Villarreal
04/12/2023	La Liga	Sevilla	0-1	Villarreal	Villarreal
24/04/2023	La Liga	Sevilla	2-1	Villarreal	Sevilla

Top Scorers: Who Will Light Up the Sánchez-Pizjuán?

Sevilla's attack relies on emerging talents and veterans, with Chidera Ejuke leading the line (3 goals). Batista Mendy, Dodi Lukebakio, and César Azpilicueta (all 2 goals) provide depth, while Alexis Sánchez's experience adds bite.

Villarreal's firepower is spearheaded by Tajon Buchanan (3 goals), with Nicolas Pépé and Pape Gueye (2 each) close behind. Georges Mikautadze (1) rounds out the threats in a squad blending youth and savvy.

Sevilla Top Scorers (La Liga 2025/26)		Villarreal Top Scorers (La Liga 2025/26)
Player	Goals	Player	Goals
Chidera Ejuke	3	Tajon Buchanan	3
Batista Mendy	2	Nicolas Pépé	2
Dodi Lukebakio	2	Pape Gueye	2
César Azpilicueta	2	Georges Mikautadze	1

Team News and Possible Lineups

Sevilla:

Joan Jordán remains sidelined, while Alfonso González is doubtful after an early exit against Alavés. Sánchez could earn his first start post-free transfer, and Juanlu Sánchez eyes a recall at right wing-back. Lucien Agoumé is pushing for minutes after his recent assist.

Possible XI (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Azpilicueta, Nianzou, Marcao, Juanlu; Agoumé, Mendy; A. Sánchez, Vargas, Ejuke; Romero.
Coach: Matías Almeyda

Villarreal:

Injuries plague the backline and attack: Juan Foyth, Ayoze Pérez, Logan Costa, Pau Cabanes, Willy Kambwala, and Gerard Moreno are out, with Ilias Akhomach doubtful. Marcelino may rotate for freshness, potentially inserting Santiago Mouriño, Renato Veiga, Sergi Cardona, Santi Comesaña, Tajon Buchanan, and Manor Solomon.

Possible XI (4-4-2): Junior; Mouriño, Marín, Veiga, Cardona; Buchanan, Comesaña, Gueye, Solomon; Pépé, Mikautadze.
Coach: Marcelino García Toral

Key Trends to Watch

• Sevilla: Winless in 2/5 league games; scored 2+ in last 3/3 (100%); conceded avg. 2.0 at home.
• Villarreal: Both teams scored in last 7/7 vs. Sevilla (100%); won last 3/3 vs. Sevilla (100%); unbeaten in 20/24 league games (83%); conceded 1+ in last 8/8 vs. Sevilla (100%); scored 2+ in last 3/3 vs. Sevilla (100%); winless in 21/25 away vs. Sevilla (84%).

Prediction: Sevilla 1-2 Villarreal

Villarreal's recent hex over Sevilla—three straight wins, including that 2-1 August 2024 stroll at the Sánchez-Pizjuán—gives them the psychological edge. Despite away struggles, their superior defense and Buchanan's form should see them grind out a narrow victory, ending Sevilla's home drought while navigating fixture pile-up. A high-stakes, low-scoring affair, but the Submarine surfaces with three points.

BetMines Alternative: Under 2.5 Goals (59% probability) – Caution reigns in this balanced battle.