Villarreal III vs Roda - Tercera División RFEF - Group 6

The history between Villarreal III and Roda lends this Tercera División RFEF - Group 6 fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on September 13, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that "it'll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I'm nervously and excitedly looking forward to it; it's a great fixture" and also spoke about the police visit.

Both Villarreal III and Roda will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Tercera División RFEF - Group 6. The hosts have been imperious, W in their last five underpinning an elite win rate of 100% that marks them out as genuine contenders. The visitors have been hard to predict on their travels, DL in their last five reflecting a win rate of 33.33%. The contrast in attacking output — 2 versus 1.33 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Larson’s long-term plans have attracted renewed attention following teammate Alex Bowman’s recent announcement that he intends to retire from full-time Cup Series competition at the end of the 2027 season.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Villarreal III will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Roda must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Their press is quick and co-ordinated in some areas of the pitch and not others.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Their 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup featured breakout performances by 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo striker on debut and 19-year-old winger George Hemmings.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 2-2 draw feels like a fitting result. With positions in the Tercera División RFEF - Group 6 table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.