Preview:Villarreal vs Real Oviedo - prediction, team news, lineups

Villarreal will be aiming to make the perfect start to their 2025-26 La Liga campaign when they welcome newly-promoted Real Oviedo to Estadio de la Ceramica on Friday night.

The Yellow Submarine finished fifth in La Liga last season, qualifying for the league phase of the Champions League in the process, while Real Oviedo secured promotion to the top flight through the Segunda Division playoffs.

Match preview

Villarreal had an excellent 2024-25 season, boasting a record of 20 wins, 10 draws and eight defeats from their 38 matches to finish fifth in the table on 70 points, level with fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

The Yellow Submarine will play in the league phase of the Champions League this season, so that will bring a new set of challenges in terms of balancing European and domestic football, and it remains to be seen whether their squad is big enough to cope with the demands that will be placed upon them.

Marcelino's side have made five signings this summer, with their biggest arrival in terms of a transfer fee proving to be Alberto Moleiro, who has made the switch from Las Palmas.

Alex Baena and Thierno Barry have been their major outgoings, so some real quality has been taken out of their squad, and it would not be a surprise to see more signings arrive before the transfer deadline.

Villarreal have not tackled Real Oviedo since 2001, when they recorded a 3-1 victory, while the latter have been victorious in just one of the eight meetings between the two teams in all competitions.

Indeed, Real Oviedo's only win over Villarreal came back in 1971 on home soil, so the promoted outfit are chasing their first-ever away success over the Yellow Submarine on Friday night.

The Blues are in La Liga for the first time in 24 years, so it will be a special, special campaign for the club, with promotion back to the top flight earned through the 2024-25 Segunda Division playoffs.

Indeed, Veljko Paunovic's side finished third in last season's Segunda Division table, before beating Almeria and Mirandes to secure a spot in the top flight, and their first match back at this level is a very difficult one.

Real Oviedo, as expected, have been active during this summer's transfer window, bringing in seven new players, while there have been eight departures, so there will be a fresh look to the squad this term.

Salomon Rondon has been the team's biggest signing, joining on loan from Pachuca, and it will be fascinating to see how the 35-year-old performs on his return to Spanish football.

Villarreal pre-season form:

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Real Oviedo pre-season form:

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Team News

Villarreal have two centre-backs out of this match, with Logan Costa sidelined alongside Willy Kambwala, so Santiago Mourino should come straight into the defence for his debut.

Moleiro is also set to feature from the start on his first appearance for the club, while there will be a start for Ayoze Perez, who scored 19 La Liga goals during an excellent season.

There is set to be a familiar look to the Villarreal XI in this match, with Santi Comesana and Dani Parejo expected to feature as the two central midfielders on Friday night.

As for Real Oviedo, Rondon should come straight into the team to lead the line; the 35-year-old has played in Spain for Las Palmas and Malaga, with his last appearance in La Liga coming in 2012.

Santi Cazorla is still going strong at the age of 39-year-old, providing five goals and five assists in 35 appearances last season, and the Spaniard is expected to be in the XI.

There is also expected to be a debut for Luka Ilic following his arrival from Red Star in a deal worth €2m (£1.7m).

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Conde; Foyth, Mourino, Martin, Pedraza; Pino, Comesana, Parejo, Moleiro; Pepe, Perez

Real Oviedo possible starting lineup:

Aaron; Vidal, Luengo, Calvo, Rahim; Sibo, Cazorla; Chaira, Iliic, Domingues; Rondon

We say: Villarreal 2-0 Real Oviedo

It will be fascinating to see how Real Oviedo perform on their return to this level, as the step up from last season will be huge. Villarreal were one of the best teams in La Liga last term, and we are expecting the Yellow Submarine to begin their domestic campaign with a relatively routine home win.

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