Valencia begin preparations ahead of game vs Villarreal
Valencia prepare for their next LaLiga fixture against Villarreal.
Valencia vs Villareal: Line-ups
Valencia
Villareal
Both Sides Need the Win
#1
Two sides disappointed with their seasons so far will come head to head on Saturday evening, when Villarreal make the short trip down the West coast of Spain to face Valencia. Separated by less than an hour, the two are also near-neighbours in the table, with Villarreal one point and one place behind Valencia.
#2
Villarreal required a 95th-minute equaliser from summer signing Arnaut Danjuma to steal a point against Cadiz in midweek, having trailed 3-1 at one point during the eventual 3-3 draw. After arriving from Bournemouth, Danjuma has now been involved in five of the last nine Villarreal goals, whilst netting in three of his four appearances at La Ceramica.
#3
Similarly, a major issue for Valencia this season has been draws, with the six-time La Liga winners having shared spoils in four league games this season. Their -1 goal difference is the lowest out of any sides above them, whilst their midweek thumping away to Real Betis was the third consecutive game they had conceded two or more goals in.
#4
One clean sheet in their previous seven matches has not allowed them to build on what was seemingly a positive start to the campaign, where Valencia won three of their first four La Liga games.
#5
A return to winning ways could be on the cards for Jose Bordalas’s side, as each of the previous five meetings between the pair in the league have ended in a home victory. Villarreal remain the last away side to win a clash between the two in La Liga, having prevailed at the Mestalla way back in May 2015.
DPP Verdict
Neither side can really afford another defeat, meaning this encounter will likely see both sides go for the three points. Ironically, that could see the pair cancel each other out, so do not be surprised to see another stalemate in a season already full of draws for the two.
