Three Points Separate Villarreal and Deportivo La Coruna Before Round Four

The table picture

Villarreal welcome Deportivo La Coruna to Estadio de la Ceramica on Saturday, September 5, with the two sides separated by three points after three rounds. Villarreal sit 15th with two points, having drawn twice and lost once, while Deportivo are eighth on five points after one win and two draws. Barcelona lead the league with nine points, leaving Villarreal seven points from the summit and Deportivo four behind.

The match therefore offers Villarreal a chance to move away from the lower part of the table and close the gap on their visitors. Deportivo, meanwhile, can strengthen their position in the upper half and maintain a positive start. With the season still at an early stage, neither side is under immediate pressure, but the points would carry significance in an already tight standings picture.

Contrasting momentum

Villarreal’s recent sequence is Draw, Draw, Loss, with the latest defeat leaving them still searching for a first victory. Deportivo arrive with the more encouraging run: Draw, Draw, Win. That unbeaten record across three matches gives them a clear momentum advantage, although Villarreal’s two draws indicate they have been able to collect points even without turning those performances into wins.

The available home figures provide no goals or results from a recorded home sample for Villarreal, so there is no established home scoring trend to rely on. Deportivo’s away record is one draw from one match, with one goal scored and one conceded. That points to a contest in which the visitors have already shown some ability to remain competitive on the road, while Villarreal will need to make their venue count.

Shape and goal threat

Villarreal have used a 4-4-2 in all three matches, offering a consistent framework for the meeting. Deportivo have alternated between 4-2-3-1, used twice, and 4-4-2, used once. The central tactical question will be whether Deportivo retain the extra midfield presence associated with their 4-2-3-1 or match Villarreal’s two-forward shape. The hosts’ familiarity with their formation could help them impose a clearer structure, while Deportivo’s flexibility gives them another route into the game.

P. Aubameyang is the standout attacking reference, with three goals in three appearances for Deportivo. His scoring record represents the clearest individual threat in the match and will be central to the visitors’ hopes of extending their unbeaten start. Villarreal must limit the opportunities available to him, particularly as their own league scorer is not identified in the supplied data.

Team news and prediction

J. Foyth is questionable for Villarreal with an injury. Deportivo will be without A. Altimira through suspension after a red card, while N. Carrillo is missing through injury, M. Casado is absent by the coach’s decision and A. Traore has a muscle injury. Those absences may encourage Deportivo to rely on a more controlled structure, while Villarreal could see an opportunity to test a reshaped visiting side.

Prediction: Villarreal 1-1 Deportivo La Coruna. Deportivo’s stronger form and Aubameyang’s scoring threat should keep them competitive, but Villarreal’s consistent 4-4-2 and home advantage can earn a share of the points.