Villarreal vs Valencia Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

This is a local derby with both sides coming from the Valencian Community in Spain. For decades Valencia had things almost all their own way in this part of the world but right now there can be little doubt that Villarreal are far the stronger team. With home advantage and up against a very poor Valencia defence, there should be at least a couple of goals in this for the hosts.

Villarreal aren’t quite on top of their game right now with 4 of their last 5 matches ending in draws and the other in defeat. 3 of those games were in the Copa del Rey though and they would probably have had that down as their least important competition this term, so an early exit may be no bad thing. Their home record in La Liga still makes for very impressive reading. They’ve won 67% of their games at El Madrigal this term, averaging 2.22 points per game on their own patch, a record only 2 sides can better.

Defensively they’ve been solid but they’ve also put in a few exceptional attacking displays, with their 5-0 win over Celta Vigo and 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid the obvious highlights. Nicola Sansone has been their best forward this season and the Italian has netted in his last two league appearances for the club. Up against a weak Valencia back-line, he should get plenty of space to move into and backing Sansone to score anytime looks a good bet.

Valencia have now kept just 1 clean sheet in an embarrassing 45 league matches. Whatever changes they make, they still seem to concede goals and they’ve let in 2 or more goals in all of their last 4 away matches in La Liga. They’ve conceded 1.94 goals per game this season, which is the worst defensive record outside the bottom 3 and that has contributed enormously to their current position just above the drop-zone.

Both teams have scored in a massive 88% of Valencia games this season in La Liga, so Villarreal will have to be on their guard at the back with Los Che’s attack looking pretty decent given the players they lost in the summer. However, the hosts are well equipped to slice their dodgy defence apart and backing Villarreal to score over 1.5 Team Goals at Evens looks like a smart move here.