- Racing have only won one of their last five games, losing four.
- Villarreal have won three of their last five, losing two, and are currently on a two-match winning streak.
- Racing have won three, drawn zero and lost two of their five home games in all competitions this season, conceding an average of 2.80 goals per game.
Villarreal have more bite
A 2-1 win over Villarreal in the Copa del Rey 2025/2026 seven months ago will have Racing Santander believing they can pull an upset at Estadio El Sardinero on Sunday, but Villarreal's overall form and current mood are better.
Villarreal, who are the slight favourites at 2.18 ahead of Racing at 3.1 with the draw at 3.5, have had a steadier return of five wins, one draw and four defeats across all competitions in their last 10 matches.
Inigo Perez has been at the helm since 1 July 2026 and he has fashioned a much more structured and balanced side with a disciplined 4-4-2 that can be just as effective in countering as when in possession.
This is a match of contrasting styles
Racing have won four, drawn two and lost four of their 10 matches since Jose Lopez took over on 12 December 2022. His side are still a narrow 4-2-3-1 that relies on short passing, quick rotations and aggressive counter-pressing, so they will look to strangle Villarreal in the tight spaces.
Villarreal are scoring at a rate of 1.17 goals-per-game on the road this season in all competitions, which is not prolific, but enough to keep the visitors in games. Racing's home form has been patchy at best with one win and two losses from their last three.
Both teams to score (1.73) and over 2.5 goals (1.9) are the main picks for this LaLiga 2026-2027 encounter as the clash of styles should create plenty of transition moments. Racing like to overload the centre with the wide defenders joining the attack and it will be interesting to see how they cope if Villarreal's sharper wide breaks and counter punches pick them off.
Villarreal have won two, drawn one and lost three of their six away games in all competitions so they travel with a little bite, but not enough to take them past the 1X2 market. They should still get the three points against Racing, who lack a little spark to really make the grade, but the home side's recent head-to-head success and Villarreal's failure to dominate away from home in 2026/27 means this is a game to play rather than bank on.
