Valencia vs Villarreal: Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
Villarreal welcome Valencia to the Estadi de la Ceràmica in a mid-table La Liga clash this Sunday.
The most recent meeting between the two sides ended in a 3-1 victory for Valencia back in January. Kick-off is 3:15pm UK time.
Recent Form
Villarreal
Villarreal’s domestic form has been impressive as of late. The side sit eleventh in the league, and are unbeaten in eight games, with notable victories against the likes of Barcelona, Real Sociedad, and most recently a 3-2 win against seventh place Real Betis.
Villarreal have fared much better on the road this season, though. They’ve averaged 1.14 points in league games at home (W4, D4, L6), and 1.36 points per game away from home (W5, D4, L5). The home side have a goal difference of 0, scoring 24 and equally conceding just as many in 14 games.
Marcelino García Toral’s side have an expected goal (xG) tally of 1.36 at home which they have they have surpassed by scoring an average of 1.71 goals per game. They also have an expected goals against (xGA) tally of 1.47 but have let in an average of 1.71 goals so far.
They also take on average 11.07 shots at home, with a conversion rate of 15%. The side have scored over 2.5 in 28% of home matches this season and have conceded over 2.5 goals in 21% of matches. They have only kept one clean sheet in front of their home fans this season.
Villerreal have not struggled to find the back of the net recently at Estadi de la Ceràmica, scoring six goals over their previous two games. One of these being a 5-1 thrashing against struggling Granada CF, helped by a hat-trick from inform striker Alexander Søloth. The Norwegian now has five goals in his last three league appearances.
The home side will also be looking to bounce back from their recent Europa League exit after losing 3-5 on aggregate to Marseille.
This weekend it's the reverse fixture...
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 15, 2024
In MD19 @pepelug8 was the main man for @valenciacf_en ✨#VillarrealValencia pic.twitter.com/cBysDqha70
Valencia
Valencia sit eighth in the table, five points clear of their opponents with a game in hand. Their away form this season has been poor, losing just over half of their games (54%). They’ve also averaged a mere 0.92 points in thirteen away games (W3, D3, L7), compared with an average of 2.00 points from games at home (W8, D4, L2).
The last time Valencia earnt points on the road was back in January, after they beat Cádiz CF 4-1. Although, the side have only played in two away games since, one being a loss to fourth place Atlético Madrid.
Rubén Baraja’s side have also struggled for goals away from home this season, failing to score in 38% of away games.
Valencia have an xG of 0.81 on the road in La Liga, which they’ve surpassed, scoring an average of 1.08 goals away from home. Their defensive record is also something they will not be proud of, conceding on average 1.77 goals per away match, greatly exceeding an xGA of 1.44.
The away side have also only managed one clean sheet in thirteen away games and have conceded over 0.5 goals in almost all their games (92%), and more than 1.5 goals in just over half of total away games (54%).
Prediction
Despite sitting below their opponents in the La Liga table, Villarreal look most likely to secure the three points this weekend. OddsNow expect Valencia's poor run on the road to continue beyond this weekend.