Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
Without the distraction of European football, Villarreal have shifted their full focus to domestic competition, where a win in this crucial fixture against Real Valladolid would help them close the gap to the top four. They have every chance of securing three points, as the visitors are in poor form and struggling at both ends of the pitch.
Villarreal
Villarreal have delighted their fans with strong performances in recent weeks, thrashing Mallorca (4:0) and holding Atlético Madrid to a 1:1 draw away. Across these matches, they generated a total of 4.14 xG, ranking sixth in La Liga over this period. Over the course of the season, Villarreal have amassed 43.90 expected goals (xG), a figure bettered only by Real Madrid (49.12) and Barcelona (58.11). In addition, they have lost just once in their last seven home league games.
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid’s chances of survival are diminishing, and even a narrow 1:0 win over Real Betis has done little to lift the spirits of their fans. Their recent losses to Espanyol (1:2) and Real Madrid (0:3) have further highlighted their defensive frailties. Across their last two matches, Valladolid have conceded five goals from 3.75 xGA, a worrying trend heading into a clash against one of the league’s most productive attacking teams. Their struggles could be worsened by the absence of Mario Martín, their key holding midfielder, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards last Saturday.
Villarreal vs Real Valladolid Prediction
In the eleventh round, Villarreal won away (2:1), with José Luis Morales scoring the winner in the dying moments. However, given their current form and attacking firepower, they are expected to dominate from the start this time around.
