Villarreal will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they welcome Osasuna to Estadio de la Ceramica on Monday night.

The Yellow Submarine suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in La Liga last weekend, while Osasuna were beaten 2-1 at home by Valencia in their last match on October 7.

Match preview

Villarreal have found it difficult to show consistency in the league this season, winning three, drawing three and losing two of their eight matches, which has left them in ninth position in the table on 12 points.

The Yellow Submarine actually have the second-best defensive record in the division at this stage, conceding just three times in eight matches, but they have only managed to net 10 times down the other end.

Unai Emery's side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in the league last weekend, and they are now four matches without a victory in Spain's top flight, with their last success coming against Elche on September 4.

Villarreal will enter this match off the back of a positive result, though, as they beat Austria Vienna 1-0 in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, which has left them top of Group C, already sure of a spot in the next round of the competition.

El Submarine Groguet have actually lost each of their last three league games against Osasuna, including their last two home games, with Los Rojillos enjoying the better of the recent meetings.

Osasuna have not been in action since suffering a 2-1 defeat to Valencia on October 7, with Darko Brasanac's effort in the third minute of stoppage time at the end of the 90 only proving to be a consolation.

Jagoba Arrasate's side have won four, drawn one and lost three of their eight league matches this season, which has left them in eighth position in the table on 13 points.

Like Villarreal, Osasuna have found it difficult to score this term, netting just nine in their eight games, suggesting that Monday's contest could be a low-scoring affair.

The Pamplona-based outfit have finished 10th, 11th and 10th in their last three campaigns at this level of football, and it would not be a surprise to see them in a similar spot this term.

Osasuna have only managed to pick up one point from their last three matches in Spain's top flight, with their last success coming away to Almeria on September 12, but they did draw away to the champions Real Madrid at the start of the month.

Team News

Villarreal will be without the services of Francis Coquelin until the start of November due to a calf problem, while Gerard Moreno and Juan Foyth remain major doubts for the home side.

Head coach Emery will make changes to the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Austria Vienna in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.

Pau Torres, Yeremi Pino, Etienne Capoue, Dani Parejo and Alfonso Pedraza will be among those to return, but it could again be a front two of Giovani Lo Celso and Arnaut Danjuma on Monday night.

As for Osasuna, Unai Garcia and Ruben Pena will both miss out through suspension, as the two players received red cards during the clash with Valencia last time out.

Kike Saverio is also out with a tendon injury, but the visitors have no fresh fitness issues for Monday's clash.

Unai Garcia's absence could see Manu Sanchez come into a defensive position, but there are not expected to be any real surprises elsewhere, with Kike Garcia again set to lead the line.

Moi Gomez should line up in a wide position against his former club, while there is also likely to again be a starting role for Abde Ezzalzouli, who is on loan at Osasuna from Barcelona.

Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Femenia, Albiol, P Torres, Pedraza; Pino, Parejo, Capoue, Chukwueze; Lo Celso, Danjuma

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Vidal, M Sanchez, Aridane, Cruz; Ezzalzouli, Moncayola, Torro, Oroz, M Gomez; Kike Garcia

We say: Villarreal 2-1 Osasuna

Osasuna will certainly be the fresher of the two sides on Monday night, and we are expecting it to be a very close match. Villarreal are due a victory in the league, though, and we are backing the Yellow Submarine to navigate their way to a narrow win in front of their own supporters.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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