Two teams that recorded impressive victories last time out will lock horns at Estadio de la Ceramica on Monday evening, with Villarreal hosting Celta Vigo.
Villarreal were 2-1 winners over Sevilla on Friday to move onto four points from two league games this season, while Celta's 100% start to the campaign was extended with a 3-1 home success over Valencia.
Match preview
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The 2023-24 campaign will have to go down as a disappointment for Villarreal considering that they finished eighth in the table to miss out on European football, and they have sold their top scorer from last season this summer, with Alexander Sorloth moving on to Atletico Madrid.
The Yellow Submarine have managed to make nine signings of their own, though, with the biggest of those in terms of a transfer fee proving to be Logan Costa from Toulouse, while Thierno Barry has been their main addition in attack.
Marcelino's side opened their La Liga season with a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid on August 19 before recording a 2-1 victory over Sevilla on Friday night.
The two teams were level at Estadio Ramon entering the very final moments, only for Ayoze Perez to come up with the winner in the 95th minute, and the result has temporarily moved them into second spot in the table.
Villarreal have won three of their last five league games against Celta, including a 3-2 victory in the corresponding fixture during the 2023-24 campaign, but the visitors will enter this contest full of confidence.
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Celta finished down in 13th spot in Spain's top flight last season, but claimed eighth in 2020-21 and were ninth, eighth and sixth between 2014 and 2016, so it would not exactly be a surprise if they were to enjoy a strong campaign.
Claudio Giraldez's side have made an impressive start to the season, beating Alaves 2-1 in their campaign opener on August 16 before recording a 3-1 victory over Valencia on Friday, with Iago Aspas again scoring to make it two goals in two games this term.
Celta will take on Villarreal and Osasuna in their final two games ahead of the September international break, and it will be fascinating to see where they are in the table come the start of September.
The Sky Blues have been quiet in the transfer market, only making three signings, with Unai Nunez arriving on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell, while Borja Iglesias and Ilaix Moriba have also joined the club.
Celta's major outgoing has been Jorgen Strand Larsen on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they have not had any problems scoring goals in the early stages of this season, and they will be eyeing a third straight success in this match.
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Team News
![Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral during the pre-season friendly match at the City Ground, Nottingham on August 2, 2024 [on August 5, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/marcelino-garcia-toral.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral during the pre-season friendly match at the City Ground, Nottingham on August 2, 2024 [on August 5, 2024]")
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Villarreal will again be without the services of three players through injury, with Juan Foyth, Alfonso Pedraza and Denis Suarez unavailable for selection.
Danjuma has two goals in two appearances for the Yellow Submarine this season, and he will again feature in the final third of the field, while there could now be a start for Barry, who made his debut off the bench against Sevilla.
Fellow new arrival Costa could also make his debut in the middle of the defence, with Marcelino expected to make changes due to the quick turnaround, so there could also be a spot in the XI for Perez.
As for Celta, Luca de la Torre and Mihailo Ristic will again miss the contest through injury, while Oscar Mingueza is a doubt due to the issue that forced him off at the interval of the clash with Valencia.
Sergio Carreira could therefore come into the XI, but the visitors are otherwise likely to be unchanged, with Aspas bidding to score in a third successive match.
Fran Beltran starred against Valencia and will again feature in central midfield, but Iglesias might have to accept a spot on the bench, with Tasos Douvikas set to continue in the final third of the field.
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Conde; Femenia, Kambwala, Costa, Cardona; Perez, Comesana, Gueye, Baena; Danjuma, Barry
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Villar; C Rodriguez, Jailson, Dominguez; Alvarez, D Rodriguez, Beltran, Carreira; Aspas, Douvikas, Swedberg
We say: Villarreal 2-1 Celta Vigo
Both sides have been impressive this season, and we are expecting a close game on Monday. Villarreal will have home advantage, though, and we believe that will allow the Yellow Submarine to pick up a huge three points here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
