Valencia vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-08-30 19:30.
[p]It’s been a nightmare start to the season for Valencia, who’ve opened the La Liga campaign with three consecutive defeats for the first time since 2016/17. As a result, Los Ches come into the weekend at the foot of the table after a 1-0 loss against Athletic Club on Wednesday in which they managed just two shots – their fewest in a La Liga fixture since November 2015![/p]
[p]When considering last season too, Valencia are now winless in ten matches in the league (D2, L8), piling the pressure on club legend RubĂ©n Baraja. The boss was scrambling for positives after their latest setback, insisting “the way to get back up is not to complain, it’s hard work and little else”, but he’ll hope his team can bounce back against a Villarreal side they’ve beaten in six of the last seven home H2Hs (D1). [/p]
[p]That approach faces another stern test as Villarreal come to town for the Derbi de la Comunitat on the back of an impressive start to the campaign. Despite losing key players in the transfer window, the Yellow Submarine have gone unbeaten in their first three matches (W2, D1), including back-to-back victories over Sevilla and Celta Vigo, with both wins coming via stoppage-time goals![/p]
[p]Villarreal’s momentum may face a roadblock here though as this derby was won by the home side on the day in each meeting last season. In fact, there’s not been an away winner in this fixture in La Liga in any of the last 13 H2Hs, but with Marcelino’s men having won six of their last ten away league outings (D3, L1), they appear well-placed to change that. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Valencia winger Diego López has been involved in both of their goals so far this season (G1, A1), yet he’s not hit the target in a home game since May 2023, with each of his last six strikes coming in away matches. Villarreal forward Gerard Moreno has a strong personal H2H record with three goals and two assists across his last six derbies. However, he has not tasted victory in any of his ten appearances at the Mestalla (D2, L8)![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Villarreal have kept only one clean sheet in their last 16 La Liga away games (W7, D4, L5).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]