Preview & Prediction: Villarreal and Valencia CF

As we gear up for this La Liga encounter between Villarreal and Valencia CF, both teams have shown impressive performances recently. Villarreal, playing at home, has shown an intimidating form, with 11 points from their last five games (averaging 2.2 points per game). They’re unbeaten in their last 5 matches at home and have scored 13 goals in their last 5 games across all locations. Having seen both teams score in 5 of their last games, we may expect a similar trend in this fixture.

On the other side, Valencia CF has been decent, earning 8 points from their last 5 fixtures and with just a single defeat in the same period. However, their scoring rate is lower, with only five goals in their last five matches. Of note is that ‘Both Teams To Score’ (BTTS) has been realized in only two of their last five matches.

In a backdrop of their historical head-to-head stats, when Valencia last visited Villarreal, the match ended in a 0-2 victory for Valencia. Overall, out of 31 recent clashes, Villarreal won 12, Valencia won 13, with 6 ending in a draw.

Considering the form of both teams and their previous meetings, this match might see a fair amount of goals. Given Villarreal’s higher scoring rate and their home advantage, a ‘Both Teams To Score’ or an ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ scenario is plausible. However, considering Valencia’s recent uptick in form, a win isn’t inconceivable for either side. This clash should be a gripping encounter.

Insights

• Villarreal has maintained a good form with 11 points from the last 5 games, showing strong performance both home and away.
• The team has demonstrated a good offensive strategy, with BTTS landing in 5 of those games and scoring 13 times in the last 5 fixtures.
• Villarreal is also unbeaten at home in 5 games indicating a strong defensive performance at home.
• They’ve maintained a good run, going 8 games without losing, and winning 3 of the last 5 games played.
• In their last 5 games, there were at least 2 goals scored, suggesting a potential for goals in this game too.
• Villarreal has had a strong record against Valencia CF in recent games, being unbeaten in the last 5, winning 3 and drawing 2.
• The team has shown offensive consistency, netting in the last 5 games.
• Valencia CF, on the other hand, has 8 points from the last 5 games demonstrating a decent form.
• Their goal-scoring record has been somewhat underwhelming, with only 5 goals in the last 5 fixtures and failing to score in 2 of those games.
• Valencia CF has, however, managed to avoid losing in the last 3 games.
• They struggle with consistency in BTTS, which only landed in 2 of their last 5 games.
• The previous encounter between Villarreal and Valencia CF saw Valencia outscore Villarreal with 2-0.
• The overall head-to-head record slightly favors Valencia CF with 13 wins out of 31 encounters compared to Villarreal’s 12, 6 of which ended in a draw.
• Despite Villarreal’s current form, historical data suggest their home performance has been relatively weaker.
• Meanwhile, Valencia CF has maintained an average away performance.
• This season, Villarreal has averaged 1.14 points per game in home matches and Valencia CF 0.92 in away matches, suggesting a slight edge for Villarreal in terms of performance point averages.
• Given BTTS has happened 52% of the time in previous meetings, there’s a good chance for it to occur in the upcoming match.
• With an average of 2.74 goals in previous games between them, this match could potentially witness multiple goals.
• As we approach the 29th Game Week clash of the 2023/2024 season, expect an exciting game where both teams will look to sustain their momentum.

Match Forecast

• With both teams proficient at attacking down the wings, we can expect constant wide action and cross-driven plays.
• Villarreal’s propensity for counter-attacks could be hazardous for Valencia, a team that struggles with defending attacks down the wings.
• Due to their strength in finishing scoring chances, an aggressive, high-scoring game might be expected from Villarreal.
• Valencia’s ability to steal the ball from the opposition may disrupt Villarreal’s short-passing style and attempts at through balls.
• Set piece situations could see Villarreal struggling, considering their weak defence against such moves and Valencia’s strength in defending set pieces.
• Valencia might exploit Villarreal’s weakness against long shots by opting for more attempts from distance.
• The game might see a good number of fouls, as both teams have a weakness in avoiding fouling in dangerous areas.
• Valencia’s weak aerial presence could be less of a concern, given Villarreal’s primary focus on ground play and short passes.
• Considering Villarreal’s trouble in protecting the lead and weakness in defending against counter attacks, Valencia might have chances to balance the game or take the lead if they fall behind early.

Match Facts

When Villarreal CF and Valencia CF face off, the most frequent result is a 1-0 victory for the home team, Villarreal. This outcome has occurred in 4 past encounters., When these two teams meet, irrespective of the ground, the scoreline of 0-1 in favour of Valencia is the most recurrent, happening 6 times., In the 28 clashes where Villarreal CF has hosted, they have secured the win 15 times, drew 6 times, and lost to Valencia CF 7 times. Villarreal CF holds a goal difference advantage of 41-28., During their total 57 meet-ups, Villarreal CF has 21 wins, as opposed to Valencia CF’s 25 wins; 11 matches ended in a draw. However, Valencia CF leads the goal difference by 79-71., In the previous season, the teams locked horns twice, ending in a 2-1 victory for Villarreal CF at home, and a 1-1 draw at Valencia’s ground., Villarreal CF typically scores 23% of their total goals in the final 15 minutes of the match., Valencia CF, on the other hand, scores around 22% of their goals in the time frame of 61 to 75 minutes., In their recent 6 games at home, Villarreal CF has managed to avoid defeat., Moreover, Villarreal CF hasn’t lost to Valencia CF at home in their past 3 matches., Villarreal CF failed to score in 2 of their 14 home games in the ongoing LaLiga season., Valencia CF also struggled, failing to find the back of the net in 5 out of their 13 away games this LaLiga season., Alexander Sorloth tops Villarreal CF’s goal charts with 13 goals, while Hugo Duro leads Valencia CF with 12., In terms of assists, Villarreal CF’s Alex Baena bags the top spot with 9 assists, whereas Diego Lopez Noguerol leads Valencia CF with 5 assists., Moreover, Alex Baena has accumulated the most yellow cards(8) in Villarreal CF. Mouctar Diakhaby is the most carded player for Valencia CF with 6 bookings., Villarreal CF have a leaky defence, conceding goals in their last 7 consecutive games., Villarreal CF has a 27% win rate in the first half of their games, while Valencia CF slightly leads with a 32% win rate., The last time Villarreal CF and Valencia CF clashed, Valencia emerged as the winners., Valencia CF triumphed by a margin of two goals in their most recent encounter., Whenever Villarreal CF takes a 1-0 lead at home, they secure a win 76% of the time., Similarly, when Valencia CF gets a 0-1 lead away from home, they manage to win 80% of such games., If down 0-1 at home, Villarreal CF manages to turn around the result in 20% of such scenarios., However, when Valencia CF is trailing 1-0 on away turf, they only manage a comeback win in 13% of such instances., Comparing performances, Villarreal CF shows better display in LaLiga than Valencia CF., In their last 5 bouts, both teams obtained two victories apiece along with a draw., Per match, Villarreal CF averages 1.2 goals against Valencia CF, who in turn averages 1.4 goals against Villarreal CF., In head-to-head clashes, an average of 2.6 goals are witnessed., An average of 1.4 goals is scored in the first half in matches between these two teams., When acting as hosts, Villarreal CF averages 2 goals per game whereas Valencia CF nets in an average of 1.2 goals in away fixtures., Villarreal CF is currently enjoying a 3 match winning streak in LaLiga., Interestingly, Villarreal CF scores nearly 22% of their goals in the timeframe of 46 to 60 minutes., Compared to last year, Villarreal CF has dropped in the table from 5th position with 47 points, to the 11th spot with 35 points currently., Lastly, Villarreal CF’s recent 5 game performance surpasses that of Valencia CF.