Villarreal B visits the leaders in A Coruña

Nothing comes easy for a struggling side like Villarreal B. After a disappointing home draw against fellow relegation battlers Cartagena, our filial hits the road to visit beautiful Galicia. Their opponent: league leaders Deportivo La Coruña. Enjoy the trip, boys.

Deportivo is a long way removed from its "Super" days in the 1990s, but the branco-azuis (I can't quite make out gallego) are too good for the Segunda. Especially with Mexican winger Andrés Guardado and the classy Juan Carlos Valerón pulling the strings. A win gives the Galician side its first honors of the season: leaders at the halfway mark.

Unfortunately, a home win (a '1' on the quiniela) may drop Villarreal B into the relegation zone, depending on other results. So Julio Velázquez also needs three points, and a first win with the filial would be nice.

Marca makes a few observations about the Villarreal B squad, though the list has not been published. Joselu Moreno is expected to be with the 'A' team: news to him. In addition, Velázquez may omit Airam Cabrera: suspicious. Perhaps the transfer rumors involving his old club Tenerife are accurate.

In the midfield, captain Marcos Gullón returns from suspension. And four 'C' team players should round out the squad, including debutante striker Juanto.

My expected XI (4-2-2-2): Mariño; Pere, Lejeune, Kiko, J. Costa; Gullón, Llorente; Moi, Vázquez; Lucas, Kike.

The match begins at 10 am Eastern Time on Saturday. Expect streams from Canal+ Liga. Endavant minisubmarino!