How long will the promoted team defend its place at the top?
The fairy tale promotion of the visitors from the Principality of Asturias had plenty of wonderful stories to tell. Santi Cazorla helped his youth club and the team closest to his heart return to the Spanish top flight after a 24-year absence. Coach Veljko Paunovic experienced the last relegation from La Liga as a player (2001) and has now led the team back to the top 20 clubs in Spanish soccer as coach. However, the promoted team remains unsuccessful in the Villarreal vs. Oviedo tip.
A home win is only the basis of our Villarreal vs. Oviedo prediction. Last season’s fifth-placed team is very familiar with coach Marcelino’s playing system and does not necessarily play like a typical top team. The Yellow Submarine avoids unnecessary possession (averaging 47.5 percent last season) and purposefully seeks to get into the final third.
The Carbayones are experiencing a difficult start to the season away from home, even if they can force Marcelino’s team into giving up a little more possession. They are likely to return home without any points. New customers can take advantage of the maximum value of the Villarreal – Oviedo odds of 2.00 for “Villarreal to win to nil” when they use this Betano bonus.
Villarreal – Oviedo Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
It is unusual for two opponents from the first matchday to face each other in the preseason. The two Spanish first division teams last met in a friendly at the end of July. The result was a hard-fought 0-0 draw for Paunovic’s side. Real Oviedo failed to score in four of their previous five encounters with the Yellow Submarine.
However, Villarreal will not be satisfied with a goalless draw at home against the newly promoted side in their opening game of the new La Liga season. The home side are extremely hungry for goals and scored the third-most goals (71) and expected goals (66.1 xG) in the previous season.
Villarreal – Oviedo Tip
The visitors have experienced players in almost every position. Salomon Rondon (35) has been brought in on loan to bolster the attack. The powerful striker was relatively unlucky in front of goal during the FIFA Club World Cup, when he was still playing for CF Pachuca.
Paunovic’s team is likely to focus on concentrated work against the ball. That could work for a while, but it won’t be enough in the long run against last year’s fifth-placed team in the Spanish Primera Divison. We therefore recommend odds of 2.00 for “Villarreal to win to nil” at Betano.
