Villarreal take on Eibar at El Madrigal

After yesterday;s results, a win for the Yellow Submarine would move us back into the top four, but Eibar are not going to be an easy opponent. Last year Eibar got off to a nice start in their first Primera campaign, but then the bottom fell out and they only survived thanks to Elche's relegation for financial issues.  This year they have made a strong start again, led by ex-Atleti canterano Borja Bastón.  He's scored six times in 11 matches for Eibar so far.

Eibar have 16 goals scored, 11 against; Villarreal 15 scored, 11 against.  Given that we were scoring for fun the first few week of the season--three each against Espanyol, Granada and Athletic Club--you can see how our striker injuries have affected our form.  We've scored more than once in only one of our last seven league matches; that has to change.

Marcelino's contract extension has been warmly received by most Villarreal supporters, but not all, and performances like those against Levante and Las Palmas haven't sat too well.  Some of our splashy summer signings have not been that impressive, and it still seems as though Marce is searching for his best XI-- I don't believe he's settled on it yet.

Villarreal's team is the following:

• Keepers: Barbosa y Areola.
• Defenders: Mario, Rukavina, Jaume Costa, Eric Bailly, Víctor Ruiz y Bonera.
• Midfielders: Bruno, Jonathan dos Santos, Pina, Trigueros, Samuel García, Samu Castillejo, Denis Suárez y Nahuel.
• Strikers: Soldado y Bakambu.

Still no Mateo Musacchio; hopefully he will return soon!

All-time records: we have actually played these guys a lot, mostly in the Segunda of course.  Our all time record is 6 wins, no draws, 2 losses in El Madrigal; no wins, 3 draws and 5 losses away.

Prediction:  Allen is channeling some of Robin's optimism and going for Villarreal 2 Eibar 0