Villarreal CF are set to host Deportivo de La Coruña this Saturday at La Cerámica in a LaLiga EA Sports match that will test the Yellow Submarine's home strength. According to La Opinión A Coruña, manager Iñigo Pérez could make changes to his defence, with José María Giménez a strong candidate to start in central defence.
The match comes as the visiting team is still adapting, having made ten signings this summer. Villarreal CF, however, rely on their home prowess, where last season they recorded 15 wins, one draw, and only three defeats, making them the third-best home side behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. The confirmed absence of full-back Juan Foyth due to injury opens the door for young Marc Pubill 'Macià' to get minutes in midfield.
How is Villarreal CF approaching this match?
The team led by Iñigo Pérez arrives at this fourth matchday with an eye also on the Champions League, where they will visit Borussia Dortmund next Tuesday. This circumstance could lead to some rotation in the starting eleven, although the squad has plenty of quality. Gerard Moreno remains the attacking reference, supported by the speed of Adedire Oluwaseyi or Tajon Buchanan and the technique of Ayoze Pérez and Georges Mikautadze. The team's performance can be tracked in detail on our stats page.
Defence is the main focus. With Foyth out, the option of Giménez partnering with Pau Navarro and Renato Veiga gains strength. The Uruguayan played 28 matches last season, proving to be a solid ball-playing centre-back. His inclusion in the starting lineup would mean a significant tactical shift to stop a Deportivo attack led by an in-form Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
What threat does Deportivo pose?
The Galician side, still unbeaten this season, arrives motivated by the great start of their star striker. Aubameyang has scored in his first three official matches with the blue-and-white shirt, equalling a club record. Their manager, Antonio Hidalgo, has not named the same starting eleven since last November and is likely to make adjustments for the trip to Vila-real.
Deportivo will set a high tempo and man-to-man pressing that will complicate Villarreal CF's build-up play. "The game plan against Valencia was ideal," Hidalgo acknowledged in a press conference, referring to their previous win. However, he expects a different challenge at La Cerámica, where the groguets usually dominate possession. The full Villarreal CF squad is available to view in the squad section.
What data supports Villarreal CF's home strength?
Strength at La Cerámica is a historical pillar of the club. Last campaign was no exception, with a 78.9% points tally earned at home. This performance is part of a broader positive streak at their stadium, where they have lost only one of their last ten official matches in all competitions.
| Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 3-4 | LaLiga |
| Real Madrid | 1-1 | LaLiga |
| Athletic Club | 3-1 | LaLiga |
| Real Betis | 2-0 | LaLiga |
| Valencia CF | 1-0 | LaLiga |
The table shows some of Villarreal CF's most notable home results from the latter part of the 2025/26 season. Maintaining this solidity will be key to aiming for the top places in the standings.
The match against Deportivo is the final league fixture before the international break. After this game, Villarreal CF will not play in LaLiga again until September 20th, when they visit Osasuna's stadium.
