Villarreal vs Sevilla preview: team news, head‑to‑head record andAdams' attempt to turn things around

Villarreal vs Sevilla Preview: Two Nations, One Crucial Night in Castellón

Matchday 36 of La Liga pits Villarreal against Sevilla at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. With only three fixtures left, the encounter carries very different implications for each club.

Marcelino García Toral’s side arrive on a run of six straight home victories and sit comfortably in third place, their Champions League qualification already all but secured. Their focus now is to finish the season strongly after a campaign that has consistently exceeded expectations.

Sevilla’s narrative is far more turbulent, and Nigeria’s Akor Adams has been at the centre of it.

The 26‑year‑old striker entered the Espanyol match on Saturday as a substitute with 15 minutes remaining. With Sevilla trailing and already in the relegation zone, he curled a dramatic 91st‑minute winner, sparking wild celebrations at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán and lifting Sevilla to 13th in the table.

That goal marked Adams’ ninth league strike of the season – an impressive return considering he had logged only three minutes of play across Sevilla’s two previous games. Such a moment can rejuvenate a dressing‑room when every point matters.

Fran Beltran of Girona FCll with Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke of Sevilla FC. Copyright: ImagoxJosexLuisxContrerasx

Chidera Ejuke, also Nigerian, featured on the left wing in Sevilla’s recent match. The 28‑year‑old provides a different dimension with his directness and pace on the flank.

Ejuke arrived from Hertha BSC after spells at Heerenveen and CSKA Moscow. This season he has been used sporadically, recording one goal and one assist in 16 league appearances, but his attributes give Luis García Plaza additional options at the Cerámica.

Together, the two Nigerians constitute Sevilla’s most potent attacking threat ahead of a game they cannot afford to lose, while they face a Villarreal side that boasts the best home record in La Liga outside Barcelona.

La Liga Matchday 36 Match Preview

Villarreal: Champions League‑Bound and Dominant at Home

Villarreal’s 2025‑26 season has been a genuine success, as the numbers plainly show.

With 69 points from 35 matches, the Yellow Submarine sit third, six points ahead of Atlético Madrid in fourth and well clear of any realistic challenge to their Champions League spot, with only nine points remaining.

Their home form has been extraordinary: 43 points from 17 matches (14 wins, one draw, two defeats), ranking them joint second‑best in Spain at home behind only Barcelona.

The six‑match home winning streak has produced 18 goals for and six against, underscoring a side that rarely offers opponents a respite at the Cerámica.

Marcelino’s team have also been prolific against lower‑half opponents, scoring 42 goals and conceding just 12 in their last 18 such fixtures.

The final six weeks have not been flawless; a 1‑1 draw away at Mallorca hinted at a possible dip in motivation now that the league position is virtually secured. Nevertheless, wins over Celta Vigo (2‑1) and Levante (5‑1) in the two preceding games show a continued desire to end the campaign on a high.

On the road, Villarreal have recorded seven wins, five draws and six defeats – a mixed record that becomes largely irrelevant on Wednesday, given they will be on their own turf.

Sevilla: A Season of Struggle, a Glimmer of Hope

Akor Adams of Sevilla FC celebrates a goal. Copyright: Imago

Sevilla’s 2025‑26 campaign has been one of the most challenging in recent memory for a club accustomed to European competition.

The Nervionenses sit 13th with 40 points. While Adams’ late winner against Espanyol has created a small buffer above the relegation zone, the situation remains fragile, and a defeat here could reignite anxiety.

Their away record is the bleakest part of the story: four wins, three draws and ten losses in 17 matches, with only 19 goals scored and 32 conceded on the road.

Sevilla have lost their last three away games, averaging fewer than 1.5 goals per match, which makes a point at the Cerámica appear unlikely on paper.

Luis García Plaza is only six games into his tenure, yet he has already sparked a positive response, as demonstrated by the comeback against Espanyol.

Garcia Plaza inherited a squad that endured a difficult season under previous management, but the players still possess the character to fight. The Espanyol revival suggests a competitive spirit remains in the dressing‑room.

The challenge now is to translate that spirit into a solid away performance at one of Spain’s toughest venues.

Villarreal vs Sevilla: Head‑to‑Head Record

All‑Time Record

Since the 1997/98 season, the two clubs have met 59 times in all competitions. Sevilla hold the overall edge with 25