won 26 of 71 settled GS picks · +71.2u profit · this pick: Andres Martin to score @ 4.60 · 4 units
⚡ Why this pick
Scored in two of three recent pre-season appearances
Expected to start in attack
Found the net against Sporting Gijon
Priced generously for a likely outcome
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Racing Santander
Projected · last match XI
Match Preview
Racing Santander vs Villarreal Match Preview
AI-written editorial preview · updated 2026-08-14 15:08 UTC
LaLiga kicks off with Racing Santander facing Villarreal
The new LaLiga season begins on Sunday, 16 August 2026, with Racing Santander hosting Villarreal at the Estadio El Sardinero for matchday 1. This encounter marks the opening fixture of the campaign for both sides as they look to start with a positive result.
Team news and expected lineups
With no key absences reported for either team, managers will have close to full-strength squads to select from. Racing Santander's expected XI features Asier Villalibre and Inigo Vicente in attack, supported by midfielders Sergio Canales, Maguette Gueye, Gustavo Puerta, and Andres Martin. The defence is anticipated to be marshalled by Jorge Salinas, Facundo Gonzalez, Pedro Felipe, and Alvaro Mantilla, with Simon Eriksson in goal.
Villarreal are expected to field a potent attacking lineup including Georges Mikautadze, Gerard Moreno, and Nicolas Pepe. Alberto Moleiro and Santi Comesana are likely to feature in midfield alongside Pape Gueye, while the defensive unit is expected to comprise Carlos Romero, Renato Veiga, Juan Foyth, and Santiago Mourino. Luiz Junior is the projected goalkeeper for the visitors.
Racing Santander's pre-season preparations
Racing Santander's pre-season schedule included a mix of results. They secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Sporting Gijon, but also faced defeats against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Athletic Bilbao. Their final friendly before the league opener was a 1-1 draw with Deportivo Alaves. The team's recent matches have seen them concede late goals, with six goals shipped after the 75th minute in their last nine games.
Villarreal's friendly fixtures
Villarreal have also been active in pre-season, with their results showing both promise and areas for concern. They recorded wins against Galatasaray and Levante, but suffered losses to Lens and Benfica. Their final friendly before the league campaign was a 1-2 victory over Galatasaray. Villarreal's last league match saw them secure a resounding 5-1 win against Atletico Madrid, demonstrating their attacking capability.
A look at past encounters
The head-to-head record between Racing Santander and Villarreal offers a varied picture across different competitions. Their most recent meeting was in the Copa del Rey on 17 December 2025, where Racing Santander emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline. In league encounters, Villarreal secured a 1-0 win in the Segunda Division in April 2013, and a more dominant 3-0 victory in November 2012. Earlier league meetings in the Primera Division saw a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 win for Racing Santander in the 2011-2012 season.
What to watch for
As the opening day of LaLiga approaches, both teams will be eager to make a strong start. Racing Santander will be looking to leverage their home advantage at the Estadio El Sardinero and avoid conceding late in the game. Villarreal, meanwhile, will aim to build on their attacking prowess shown in pre-season and recent league form, seeking to secure three points on the road to kick off their LaLiga campaign.
Villarreal
Projected · last match XI
Confirmed by FIFA officials.
All Predictions
What each AI model picked for Racing Santander vs Villarreal
Every pick each model placed, market by market — with the odds they took.
Qwen
Tip:BTTS: Yes @ odds 1.67✓ Won
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DeepSeek
Tip:Andres Martin to score @ odds 4.60✓ Won
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