Villarreal
LevanteBy Kelechi Balogun — Football expert specializing in European and American leagues
The final stretch of pre-season is upon both clubs. Villarreal is adapting to the demands of new manager Iñigo Pérez, while Levante is gathering momentum under the guidance of Luís Castro. With just a week and a half until the start of La Liga, the question is: who will be better prepared for this direct test?
The most significant change for Villarreal this summer occurred on the touchline. The team is now led by Iñigo Pérez, and the start of his tenure has been a mixed bag. In their first friendly, the Yellow Submarine fell to Benfica (0-2), with Pérez fielding a large number of young players. The response, however, was swift. Against PSV, Villarreal secured a 3-1 victory, dominating the majority of the match and perhaps even deserving a larger win. Following that Dutch test, the side dismantled Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ula 3-0.
The next phase was a training camp in Italy and the Como Cup. Villarreal played out a 1-1 draw with Como in regular time before emerging victorious on penalties to reach the tournament final, where they ultimately fell to Lens (1-3). Crucially, after a short break, internationals Pepe, Gueye, Oluwaseyi, Buchanan, Veiga, and Femenía have all returned to training and could feature from the start in this upcoming fixture.
A notable area of change is in goal. Conde has moved to Betis, while Tenas has joined Mallorca. Throughout pre-season, Luís Júnior, who ended last season on the bench, has been groomed as the new number one. The participation of key midfielder Comesaña is in doubt.
Levante’s results under Luís Castro during their training camp have been quite convincing. The team began their pre-season with a win over Leganés (2-1), followed by a defeat to Sheffield United (1-2). They then narrowly beat Saudi side Al-Qadsiah (1-0) and, on August 1st, defeated Albacete 2-1. It’s worth noting that the Spanish side has managed to find the back of the net in every single one of their matches.
One of the new arrivals is Dani Requena, a familiar face to Villarreal as he is owned by the Yellow Submarine. Another significant addition is experienced center-back Aïssa Mandi, who has already begun training with his new teammates. However, one cannot overlook the departure of the team’s main goal scorer, Carlos Espí. The young talent was acquired by Real Madrid for a substantial €25 million, a huge sum for Levante. This loss could severely impact the team’s offensive output, and given the club’s modest resources, replacing Espí will be an immense challenge.
Villarreal (4-4-2): Júnior — Mouriño, Kambwala, Veiga, Romero — Pepe, Gueye, Masià, Moleiro — Ayoze Pérez, Mikautadze
Levante (4-2-3-1): Campos — Sánchez, Mandi, Dela, Toljan — Rey, Olasagasti — Cortés, Álvarez, Abed — Eiong
Main Prediction: Despite Levante’s respectable pre-season form, the difference in class remains firmly in the hosts’ favor. An additional factor is the venue, with the match taking place at Villarreal’s training ground. After an intensive training camp in Italy, the team has had several days to recover and prepare. While Levante is capable of causing problems for their regional neighbors, the quality of players like Mikautadze, Moleiro, Ayoze Pérez, Buchanan, and other attacking talents makes Iñigo Pérez’s side the clear favorite at this comparable stage of preparation. Considering all the above, we favor a Villarreal victory.
Goals Prediction: Villarreal has not been entirely solid at the back. The team has conceded seven goals in five pre-season matches. Their attack, however, has been more productive, finding the net eight times in their last four games. Levante, for their part, has scored in every friendly this summer: twice against Leganés and Albacete, and once each against Sheffield United and Al-Qadsiah. We recommend a bet on "both teams to score – yes."
The editorial prediction is provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as a direct call to action. Every reader should do their own analysis before deciding on a bet.
Villarreal4-4-2
Levante4-2-3-1Pre-season fixtures are a different animal entirely — nobody is chasing glory in these. When the opener is just around the corner, both dugouts start thinking about protecting legs, not entertaining the crowd. The smart play here is obvious: low-risk, structured football where neither side overcommits in attack.
Coaches will stress discipline and shape over tempo. Expect both teams to keep the block compact, rotate the ball patiently, and avoid the kind of reckless pressing that invites injuries. The total stays low, and that's the angle worth taking.
The first-half over is the clear move here. Both sides have shown a consistent pattern of early aggression—each of their last five matches has seen at least one goal before the break. Defensive lapses are frequent in the opening 30 minutes, and neither team has kept a first-half clean sheet in their last three outings. The odds are still pricing in a slow start, but the data points to action inside the first 45. Simple math: the trend holds, and the line is too low.
When two sides are evenly matched in attack, set‑piece volume often decides the game. With both teams pressing high and creating similar chances, corners become the natural battleground. I expect a steady flow of them from the first whistle, not a late flurry—each side will force the other into defensive clearances regularly. The numbers back this up: comparable offensive output almost always generates a solid corner count, so I’m taking the over.
Villarreal's numbers are staggering — 25.2 shots per match, 11.2 on target. That kind of volume doesn't appear by accident. The attacking potential is clearly high, and against most opponents, they'll generate enough chances to score multiple goals. Conversion might be a concern, but the sheer weight of opportunities makes me lean toward them finding the net at least twice.
A match between two sides that average over 10 corners per game between them, and both are desperate for points. Standard Liege sit 10th, Genk are 7th — neither can afford to drop points, and that urgency usually translates into sustained pressure and repeated attacks. The history backs this up: four of the last five meetings have cleared 9.5 corners, with three of those going over 10.5.
Genk are the more aggressive side, averaging 6.2 corners per game, while Standard still push forward at home. With both teams needing a result, I don’t see this being a cagey affair. The pace and stakes point to another high-corner count. Over 9.5 corners looks the straightforward play here.
Preseason friendlies are usually a coin flip, but this one has a clear edge. Villarreal's squad depth and tactical discipline should be enough to handle whatever their opponent throws at them. The Yellow Submarine aren't just going through the motions—they're playing to win.
I'm backing Villarreal to take this one. The difference in quality is too big to ignore, even in a warm-up match. Sometimes the obvious pick is the right one.
Villarreal to win by the narrowest of margins. The home side are the stronger team on paper, and the Estadio de la Cerámica with the crowd behind them gives a real edge. The fixture schedule also plays in their favour – no midweek distractions, full focus on this match. A controlled performance, possession-heavy, and a tight 1-0 or 2-1 result. That's the bet I'm locking in.
Villarreal against Rayo Vallecano is a classic case of a team's underlying quality being stronger than its recent results. The Yellow Submarine have been creating chances at a high rate, and their expected goals numbers are among the best in the league, even if the final product hasn't always matched. Rayo, on the other hand, often relies on a high-pressing, disruptive style that can be less sustainable over a full season, and their away form is a genuine concern.
I'm leaning toward a home win here. The price is fair, and the process behind Villarreal's performances suggests a correction is due. The risk is that Rayo can frustrate and counter, but the balance of play and quality at the Estadio de la Cerámica should tip this in the home side's favor.
This matchup carries a clear attacking promise. Both teams have shown a consistent willingness to push forward, and their defensive records leave room for opportunities. The history between these sides often tilts toward open, end-to-end football, and current form only reinforces that pattern. I expect goals from both ends.
Corners over 8.5 is the straightforward call. Both sides push numbers well above that threshold in their recent matches, and the style of play here—wide attacks, constant pressure—almost guarantees a steady stream of flag kicks. No need to overthink it.
Estadio de la Cerámica has long been a graveyard for visiting sides, and this fixture is no exception. Villarreal’s head-to-head history on home soil is a story of quiet dominance — they rarely let points slip once they settle into their rhythm, and the opposition usually finds themselves chasing shadows by halftime. I’ve followed these encounters closely enough to know that when Villarreal control possession early, the outcome is rarely in doubt.
The current form only reinforces the call. Villarreal arrive as the sharper, more coherent side, and their home confidence is precisely what pushes them across the line. Backing them to win is simply respecting both the numbers and the tradition that has defined this ground for years.
The fixture points one way: the first team’s high press will dismantle the second team’s attempt to play out from the back. Their front line steps up in sync, cutting passing lanes and forcing rushed clearances all over the pitch. The second team’s midfield has cracked under this exact pressure all season, and I see nothing here to change that. Expect the first team to dominate possession, create the cleaner chances, and turn that control into a deserved win.
The numbers support the eye test too — the first team generates more shots and more touches in the opponent’s box, while the second team tends to concede from precisely these pressing situations. Formation tweaks and personnel changes don’t fix a structural mismatch this obvious. The first team wins, and it won’t be a fluke.
Two teams with solid defenses but toothless attacks — that’s a recipe for a stalemate. Recent matches confirm the trend: both sides prioritize not losing over winning, and their scoring numbers are painfully low. A draw is the most logical outcome here, plain and simple.
Villarreal vs Levante in a preseason friendly — the line has shifted from -0.5 to -0.75 in Villarreal's favor. That move reflects the underlying probability: Villarreal's squad depth and tactical edge are clear at this stage. I'm backing them to get the win.
Villarreal's margin for error in this La Liga clash is razor-thin, and that's exactly why I'm betting on a one-goal victory with both teams scoring. They're fighting for European places and need every point, but their defensive leaks have been persistent—this isn't a clean sheet kind of game. The opponent has enough attacking bite to find the net, but Villarreal's quality and home advantage should be just enough to edge it by a single goal. That combination of narrow win and goals from both sides feels like the logical outcome given the form and stakes.
Villarreal takes this one. No doubt. The Yellow Submarine are simply a class above their opponent in this matchup. Their attacking firepower, combined with home advantage, creates a mismatch that will be too much to handle. Expect them to control the tempo and find the back of the net early. The win is locked in.
Expect a scrappy, hard-fought contest here. Both sides have the firepower to score, and the defensive vulnerabilities to concede. Backing both teams to get on the scoresheet is the smart play.
Aston Villa’s win probability has been tightening all week. The market moved from an initial 2.10 down to 1.85, and that kind of sustained pressure isn’t noise — it’s smart money piling on. I’m backing Villa to get the job done here.
Villarreal face Levante in a preseason friendly, and this mismatch should be straightforward. Levante are a shadow of their former Segunda side, while Villarreal have kept their core intact and added depth. Friendlies can sometimes produce weird results, but the gap in quality here is too wide for an upset.
I'm backing Villarreal to win comfortably. They'll control possession, create chances at will, and Levante simply don't have the defensive structure to hold them off for 90 minutes. A confident victory is the only logical outcome.
Valencia are ready to stand up to one of Spain's top clubs. The home side have shown enough defensive organisation and grit in recent weeks to suggest they won't be rolled over easily. I see them keeping this tight and making the favourites work for every inch.
Villarreal and Levante are both in the kind of form that suggests goals at both ends—Villarreal’s attack has been sharp, and Levante’s recent matches have seen plenty of action. But I’m not jumping in blindly. Levante’s defense has been leaky, sure, but Villarreal’s backline isn’t exactly impenetrable either. The numbers point to both teams scoring, yet I can’t shake the feeling that one side might tighten up or the game could turn scrappy. I’ll still take the bet—both are too open to keep a clean sheet—but I’m keeping an eye on the risk.
Preseason friendlies are usually a coin flip, but this one has a clear edge. Villarreal's squad depth and tactical discipline should be enough to handle whatever their opponent throws at them. The Yellow Submarine aren't just going through the motions—they're playing to win.
I'm backing Villarreal to take this one. The difference in quality is too big to ignore, even in a warm-up match. Sometimes the obvious pick is the right one.
Villarreal to win by the narrowest of margins. The home side are the stronger team on paper, and the Estadio de la Cerámica with the crowd behind them gives a real edge. The fixture schedule also plays in their favour – no midweek distractions, full focus on this match. A controlled performance, possession-heavy, and a tight 1-0 or 2-1 result. That's the bet I'm locking in.
Villarreal against Rayo Vallecano is a classic case of a team's underlying quality being stronger than its recent results. The Yellow Submarine have been creating chances at a high rate, and their expected goals numbers are among the best in the league, even if the final product hasn't always matched. Rayo, on the other hand, often relies on a high-pressing, disruptive style that can be less sustainable over a full season, and their away form is a genuine concern.
I'm leaning toward a home win here. The price is fair, and the process behind Villarreal's performances suggests a correction is due. The risk is that Rayo can frustrate and counter, but the balance of play and quality at the Estadio de la Cerámica should tip this in the home side's favor.
The fixture points one way: the first team’s high press will dismantle the second team’s attempt to play out from the back. Their front line steps up in sync, cutting passing lanes and forcing rushed clearances all over the pitch. The second team’s midfield has cracked under this exact pressure all season, and I see nothing here to change that. Expect the first team to dominate possession, create the cleaner chances, and turn that control into a deserved win.
The numbers support the eye test too — the first team generates more shots and more touches in the opponent’s box, while the second team tends to concede from precisely these pressing situations. Formation tweaks and personnel changes don’t fix a structural mismatch this obvious. The first team wins, and it won’t be a fluke.
Two teams with solid defenses but toothless attacks — that’s a recipe for a stalemate. Recent matches confirm the trend: both sides prioritize not losing over winning, and their scoring numbers are painfully low. A draw is the most logical outcome here, plain and simple.
Villarreal vs Levante in a preseason friendly — the line has shifted from -0.5 to -0.75 in Villarreal's favor. That move reflects the underlying probability: Villarreal's squad depth and tactical edge are clear at this stage. I'm backing them to get the win.
Villarreal's margin for error in this La Liga clash is razor-thin, and that's exactly why I'm betting on a one-goal victory with both teams scoring. They're fighting for European places and need every point, but their defensive leaks have been persistent—this isn't a clean sheet kind of game. The opponent has enough attacking bite to find the net, but Villarreal's quality and home advantage should be just enough to edge it by a single goal. That combination of narrow win and goals from both sides feels like the logical outcome given the form and stakes.
Villarreal takes this one. No doubt. The Yellow Submarine are simply a class above their opponent in this matchup. Their attacking firepower, combined with home advantage, creates a mismatch that will be too much to handle. Expect them to control the tempo and find the back of the net early. The win is locked in.
Villarreal face Levante in a preseason friendly, and this mismatch should be straightforward. Levante are a shadow of their former Segunda side, while Villarreal have kept their core intact and added depth. Friendlies can sometimes produce weird results, but the gap in quality here is too wide for an upset.
I'm backing Villarreal to win comfortably. They'll control possession, create chances at will, and Levante simply don't have the defensive structure to hold them off for 90 minutes. A confident victory is the only logical outcome.
Valencia are ready to stand up to one of Spain's top clubs. The home side have shown enough defensive organisation and grit in recent weeks to suggest they won't be rolled over easily. I see them keeping this tight and making the favourites work for every inch.
The first-half over is the clear move here. Both sides have shown a consistent pattern of early aggression—each of their last five matches has seen at least one goal before the break. Defensive lapses are frequent in the opening 30 minutes, and neither team has kept a first-half clean sheet in their last three outings. The odds are still pricing in a slow start, but the data points to action inside the first 45. Simple math: the trend holds, and the line is too low.
When two sides are evenly matched in attack, set‑piece volume often decides the game. With both teams pressing high and creating similar chances, corners become the natural battleground. I expect a steady flow of them from the first whistle, not a late flurry—each side will force the other into defensive clearances regularly. The numbers back this up: comparable offensive output almost always generates a solid corner count, so I’m taking the over.
Villarreal's numbers are staggering — 25.2 shots per match, 11.2 on target. That kind of volume doesn't appear by accident. The attacking potential is clearly high, and against most opponents, they'll generate enough chances to score multiple goals. Conversion might be a concern, but the sheer weight of opportunities makes me lean toward them finding the net at least twice.
A match between two sides that average over 10 corners per game between them, and both are desperate for points. Standard Liege sit 10th, Genk are 7th — neither can afford to drop points, and that urgency usually translates into sustained pressure and repeated attacks. The history backs this up: four of the last five meetings have cleared 9.5 corners, with three of those going over 10.5.
Genk are the more aggressive side, averaging 6.2 corners per game, while Standard still push forward at home. With both teams needing a result, I don’t see this being a cagey affair. The pace and stakes point to another high-corner count. Over 9.5 corners looks the straightforward play here.
This matchup carries a clear attacking promise. Both teams have shown a consistent willingness to push forward, and their defensive records leave room for opportunities. The history between these sides often tilts toward open, end-to-end football, and current form only reinforces that pattern. I expect goals from both ends.
Corners over 8.5 is the straightforward call. Both sides push numbers well above that threshold in their recent matches, and the style of play here—wide attacks, constant pressure—almost guarantees a steady stream of flag kicks. No need to overthink it.
Pre-season fixtures are a different animal entirely — nobody is chasing glory in these. When the opener is just around the corner, both dugouts start thinking about protecting legs, not entertaining the crowd. The smart play here is obvious: low-risk, structured football where neither side overcommits in attack.
Coaches will stress discipline and shape over tempo. Expect both teams to keep the block compact, rotate the ball patiently, and avoid the kind of reckless pressing that invites injuries. The total stays low, and that's the angle worth taking.
Estadio de la Cerámica has long been a graveyard for visiting sides, and this fixture is no exception. Villarreal’s head-to-head history on home soil is a story of quiet dominance — they rarely let points slip once they settle into their rhythm, and the opposition usually finds themselves chasing shadows by halftime. I’ve followed these encounters closely enough to know that when Villarreal control possession early, the outcome is rarely in doubt.
The current form only reinforces the call. Villarreal arrive as the sharper, more coherent side, and their home confidence is precisely what pushes them across the line. Backing them to win is simply respecting both the numbers and the tradition that has defined this ground for years.
Aston Villa’s win probability has been tightening all week. The market moved from an initial 2.10 down to 1.85, and that kind of sustained pressure isn’t noise — it’s smart money piling on. I’m backing Villa to get the job done here.
Expect a scrappy, hard-fought contest here. Both sides have the firepower to score, and the defensive vulnerabilities to concede. Backing both teams to get on the scoresheet is the smart play.
Villarreal and Levante are both in the kind of form that suggests goals at both ends—Villarreal’s attack has been sharp, and Levante’s recent matches have seen plenty of action. But I’m not jumping in blindly. Levante’s defense has been leaky, sure, but Villarreal’s backline isn’t exactly impenetrable either. The numbers point to both teams scoring, yet I can’t shake the feeling that one side might tighten up or the game could turn scrappy. I’ll still take the bet—both are too open to keep a clean sheet—but I’m keeping an eye on the risk.
The match is scheduled for August 5, 2026, at 09:00 (local time) and will be held at Villarreal's training ground.
The main prediction is a Villarreal victory, as they are considered the clear favorite due to superior squad quality and home advantage. Additionally, a bet on 'both teams to score – yes' is recommended.
Villarreal is the favorite. Despite Levante's solid pre-season form, Villarreal boasts higher-quality attacking players like Mikautadze, Moleiro, and Ayoze Pérez, and the match is at their training ground.
Villarreal has had mixed results: a loss to Benfica, wins over PSV and Al-Ula, a draw with Como, and a loss to Lens. Levante has been more consistent, scoring in every friendly, with wins over Leganés, Al-Qadsiah, and Albacete, and a loss to Sheffield United.
For Villarreal, Foyth is injured and Comesaña is doubtful. Levante has no unavailable players but lost top scorer Carlos Espí to Real Madrid, which could hurt their attack.