Valencia vs Villarreal Predictions

More goals for visitors

Both teams have scored in five of the last six Primera Liga meetings between Valencia and Villarreal, and Saturday’s derby clash at the Mestalla is unlikely to be any different. Back both sides to find the net in this one.

Villarreal are third in the league, 11 places and eight points above Valencia, with five wins, two draws and two losses from their nine games, while the hosts have two wins, three draws and four defeats.

Victories are proving hard to come by for Valencia, who have won just one of their last six Primera Liga matches, while Villarreal’s recent form has been inconsistent, with three wins, one draw and two defeats in their last six games. However, they are unbeaten in six of their last seven meetings with these opponents.

Villarreal will still be smarting after their 2-2 draw with Real Betis last weekend. Tajon Buchanan scored the opener for the hosts, but Betis did all their scoring after the break – 80% of Villarreal’s goals conceded have come in the second half of their games this season.

The result kept up a recent trend of matches with both teams scoring. It was a disappointing result for Villarreal, who were priced at 10/11 to win, although there was no shame in Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League.

Both teams have been in goalscoring form. Valencia have scored in all four of their home games this season, while Villarreal have scored two goals or more in five of their nine league games.

Five of the last six times that Valencia have hosted Villarreal in the Primera Liga have seen both sides score, and both teams have also scored in four of Villarreal’s last five away games.

Both sides have been struggling defensively of late, with Valencia failing to keep a clean sheet in 16 of their last 20 games against Villarreal and the visitors not managing to shut out the opposition in their last five away games.

Valencia may be able to edge out Villarreal in a close game, with a 2-1 home win the correct-score pick. Four of the visitors’ last five league games have produced three or more goals, and there could be plenty of goals here too.

Click here to learn more about Spotlight iQ

Edited by Mark Langdon