Villarreal vs Spartak Moscow Predictions

Group G is incredibly tight heading into the final round of fixtures, with any of the four teams able to qualify for the knockout stages. Villarreal top the group with seven points and a +5 goal difference from their five matches, with Rapid Wien in second also on seven points and a -4 goal difference, Rangers in third on six points, and Spartak Moscow bottom of the table, but still very much in contention with five points. Villarreal have the home advantage against Spartak Moscow on Thursday and are the bookmakers favourites to claim all three points and win the group.

Villarreal were beaten at home in La Liga on Saturday by Celta Vigo, but almost came back from three goals down to earn a share of the spoils. Goals from Méndez, Yokuşlu, and Gómez insidesthe opening fifty-one minutes saw Celta Vigo claim a 3-0 lead at the Estadio de la Cerámica, but two goals in the last ten minutes from Carlos Bacca saw Villarreal make a late comeback, but the visitors held on to secure all three points. Villarreal now sit one place above the relegation zone and, like many other teams, have found the balance between European football and their domestic league very difficult.

Spartak Moscow claimed a comfortable 3-0 win away at Anzhi on Saturday, and sit fourth in the Russian Premier League. Penalties from Zé Luís and then Adriano saw the visitors lead by the fifty-fifth minute, and Gigolaev was sent-off for the hosts when he picked up his second yellow card of the game when giving away the second penalty. Zé Luís wrapped up the three points by scoring his brace with six minutes left on the clock.

When Spartak Moscow played host to Villarreal in October the pair produced a six-goal thriller in which Villarreal rescued a point deep into stoppage time. Ekambi handed the Spaniards the lead, but a penalty from Zé Luís saw the teams head in level at the break. Fornals restored the visitors lead early in the second half, but goals from Zé Luís and Melgarejo in the last ten minutes looked to have win the game for Spartak. However, in the sixth minute of time added on former Arsenal favourite Santi Cazorla converted a penalty to earn Villarreal a late point.

Fornals, Moreno, and Ekambi have all scored two goals each in the Europa League this season for Villarreal, making the trio the joint top scorers for the hosts. Zé Luís leads the way in front of goal for the hosts having scored three times in the Europa League so far. Both teams have scored in three of Spartak’s and two of Villarreal’s Europa League group games this season, and Villarreal are yet to be beaten in the competition.

We’re confident that Villarreal will win and that both teams will score in Thursday’s final group game. The hosts are yet to be beaten in Group G and have won two of their last three home games in all competitions. Both teams have scored in three of their last six matches, while the same can be said about four of Spartak Moscow’s last five games. In terms of a final score, we’re backing Villarreal to claim a 3-1 win and claim their spot in the knockout stage.