Villarreal vs Valencia: Yellow Submarine Looking to Keep Champions League Dream Alive
Villarreal host Valencia in a lopsided Valencian derby on Sunday, with the two clubs in very different places in the LaLiga table.
A Valencian derby with very different vibes on either side of the dressing room divide — Villarreal are chasing Champions League football, while Valencia are just trying to stay relevant.
The State of Play
Villarreal are sitting pretty in third, but they’ve been a bit leaky with points lately and can’t afford to slip up at home. The win over Levante in that rearranged fixture gave them a bit of breathing room, but there’s no room to get complacent with rivals sniffing around behind them.
Valencia, meanwhile, are coming into La Cerámica knowing the history is well against them:
- Just four wins at this ground, ever
- Only two draws in their last eight visits
- Six defeats in that same run
Not exactly the sort of away-day stats that fill you with confidence, is it.
Team News
Villarreal: Marcelino gets Dani Parejo back, which is a proper boost in midfield. With Rafa Marín crocked, Renato Veiga steps into the defensive line. Up top, Moleiro and Ayoze are both in decent nick and will lead the attack — and Ayoze in particular absolutely loves playing against Valencia (four goals in six matches against them, cheers very much).
Valencia: Corberán has been tinkering in training and Sunday could be the day Guido gets his first start, with Javi Guerra operating ahead of him. Copete is back from suspension, and Unai Núñez is expected to play that hybrid right-back/third centre-back role that Corberán seems to fancy. As for Danjuma returning to his old stomping ground — he’s fit again, but looks set to start on the bench.
The Key Battle
Keep an eye on Ayoze vs. Hugo Duro. The Tenerife-born forward has Valencia’s number, while Hugo Duro leads Valencia’s scoring charts this season with seven goals. Two strikers with points to prove — that’s your subplot sorted.
What to Expect
Villarreal at home, in form enough, with Champions League places on the line? They’re heavy favourites here and rightly so. Valencia have shown signs of improvement but asking them to go to La Cerámica and nick something feels like a big ask given that recent record. The Yellow Submarine should have too much quality, especially with Parejo pulling the strings again.
Should be a decent watch, mind — Valencian derbies rarely lack a bit of needle.