Valencia vs Villarreal predictions, H2H and match preview for this Saturday’s local derby in La Liga. Read on for analysis, betting tips and predicted line-ups as Los Che aim for a rare home win over the Yellow Submarine.
DATE/TIME – Saturday 26th January, 20:45 (Spanish Time)
STADIUM – Mestalla
COMPETITION – La Liga
#ValenciaVillarreal
While Levante are upsetting the usual pecking order this season, this fixture has been the biggest in the Valencian Community over the past two decades. Regularly they have clashed in decisive games in the fight for European places but this will have a curious feel with Villarreal battling relegation and Valencia themselves having only recently started to move clear of the dog-fight.
In many respects, Villarreal should take some inspiration from Valencia’s relative resurgence. Without playing particularly brilliantly or even winning that many matches, Los Che have moved from the foot of the table into the right half of the league and suddenly they will be eyeing up European qualification. They have found this fixture tough in recent years though with Villarreal winning on their last 3 trips to the Mestalla.
The Yellow Submarine at least don’t have any cup distractions but they are still finding wins very hard to come by. They are yet to pick up 3 points in La Liga since appointing Luis Garcia. Some of their performances have been slightly better with a degree of control coming from the midfield but they have still made one or two sloppy errors at the back and were a little fortunate to avoid defeat in the basement battle at home to Athletic last weekend.
The visitors have defensive problems here too with Ramiro Funes Mori suspended. Valencia centre-back Gabriel Paulista is also out but they will be delighted to have seen Rodrigo back on the scoresheet last weekend and Los Che will be hopeful of a more profitable second half of the season in front of goal from him and their other forward players.
Valencia vs Villarreal Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-1 Valencia
Betting Tip: Both Teams to Score @ 1.8 with Spin Palace Sports
Derbies are notoriously tough to call but we are going to just favour Valencia here. Last weekend’s win in Vigo felt like a genuinely significant one, particularly given the comeback nature of it. The huge confidence boost Rodrigo will receive from scoring a late winner could be a real turning point in his season. Villarreal will come with a positive approach though and with Valencia forced into a defensive reshuffle, the visitors should score at some point in the game too.
Valencia vs Villarreal H2H
- Last 6 meetings: 4 Villarreal Wins, 1 Valencia Win, 1 Draw.
- Villarreal have taken 10 points from the last 4 league meetings.
- They’ve won on their last 3 trips to the Mestalla.
- This fixture last term saw both teams end with 10 men in a 1-0 Villarreal win.
One to Watch – Rodrigo
TERMINÉ !
Valence s’impose 2-1 face au Celta Vigo et passe 7e !
Ferran Torres et Rodrigo buteurs. pic.twitter.com/hX9gdvac28
— Instant Foot ⭐⭐ (@lnstantFoot) January 19, 2019
Rodrigo scored a key late winner last weekend that could potentially transform both his and his team’s seasons. He’ll be hungry to get on the scoresheet again here.
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Predicted Line Ups
Valencia Team:
Neto – Piccini, Diakhaby, Garay, Gaya – Cheryshev, Wass, Parejo, Soler – Santi Mina, Rodrigo (4-4-2)
Villarreal Team:
Asenjo – Costa, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Gaspar – Iborra, Caseres – Cazorla, Fornals, Chukwueze – Ekambi (4-2-3-1)
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