Villarreal vs Valencia

Valencia head to the Estadio de la Ceramica to take on Villarreal in a handsomely-looking La Liga fixture.

A couple of early goals fired Villarreal to a 2-1 win away to bottom-half Getafe over the weekend, arresting their run of three La Liga matches without winning (D1, L2). But ‘El Submarino Amarillo’ will have to launch a substantial winning streak to reduce a six-point gap on sixth-placed Real Sociedad and return in contention for European qualification. The upcoming home showdown against Valencia comes in handy, with Villarreal winning three of their last four La Liga H2Hs at La Ceramica (D1), including a 2-1 triumph in this exact fixture in 2020/21. Additionally, Unai Emery’s men are unbeaten in their last 11 home league meetings with fellow rivals from Comunidad Valenciana (W8, D3). On top of that, they’ve not lost any of their nine previous La Liga home outings (W6, D3) since a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in November.

In the meantime, Valencia found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline at home to Osasuna last time out, ending a run of six unbeaten La Liga matches (W3, D3). The two goals conceded against Osasuna were as many as they had shipped across their six league outings beforehand. On the bright side, though, ‘Los Murcielagos’ have strung together four La Liga victories in regional derbies, their best run in such encounters in the 21st century. Adding to the travelling side’s confidence, they’re unbeaten in their last four La Liga away games (W2, D2), all of which featured under 2.5 total goals. Indeed, a lack of firepower up top has seen Valencia score one goal or fewer in each of their five previous La Liga fixtures on hostile turf.