Villarreal vs Real Valladolid Prediction: La Liga match on 15.04.2023

After beating Real Madrid 2-3 at the Bernabeu, Villarreal will host Real Valladolid in La Liga on Saturday at 12:00 GMT.

  

Villarreal will be looking to ramp the pressure on the sides involved in the chase for a top-four finish, whereas Real Valladolid will be looking for the three points they need to bolster their survival chances.

• Athletic vs Real Sociedad Prediction: La Liga match on 15.04.2023

Key Highlights

Villarreal’s Fight for the Top Four

Villarreal are fifth on the La Liga table, just four points behind fourth-placed Real Sociedad. They are in with a shout of finishing inside the top four with 10 matches remaining in the season.

Quique Setién has motivated his side to regain their form just in time to be involved in the fight for Champions League qualification.

The Yellow Submarines are unbeaten in their last five matches. They have won four and drawn once as they have soared on the La Liga table.

In their last match, they beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu 2-3 to take three precious points to help them in the quest to make it into the top four before the end of the season.

Real Valladolid’s Fight for Survival in La Liga

Real Valladolid have been in poor form in recent matches, highlighted by their 0-6 capitulation against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last Saturday. They had lost two consecutive La Liga outings before taking on Mallorca last weekend.

They have struggled to find the right balance between their defense and attack. The result has been a team that lacks the dynamism and consistency to display robust performances week in and week out.

Valladolid have won just 8, drawn 5, and lost 12 matches in their opening 28 outings in La Liga this season. They have scored just 20 goals and conceded 44 in the process, leaving them with a goal difference of -24.

With 29 points, Real Valladolid are just two points above 18th-placed Espanyol, which means that a loss at Villarreal could see them drop into the drop zone.

Injury Report

Villarreal

Villarreal will be without defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin (cruciate ligament rupture), defensive midfielder Etienne Capoue (unknown injury), and center-forward Gerard Moreno (calf injury).

Real Valladolid

Valladolid will miss the services of central midfielder Anuar, with the 28-year-old sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury since September 22, 2022.

Goalkeeper Jordi Masip is ruled out for the clash against Villarreal with a shoulder injury, whereas right winger Gonzalo Plata is also out with a pulled hamstring at the adductors.

  

Possible Lineups

Villarreal

Pepe Reina; Alfonso, P. Torres, A. Mandi, J. Foyth; A. Baena, D. Parejo, R. Terrats; Y. Pino, G. Lo Celso, S. Chukwueze

Real Valladolid

S. Asenjo; J. Yamiq, J. Fernandez, I. Fresneda; L. Rosa, Monchu, M. Hongla, R. Mesa, L. Perez; S. Leon, G. Plata

Prediction

Villarreal are currently flying with confidence and trust in their methods. Quique Setién will has his side purring in La Liga, and they will seek to take this mindset to the home clash against Valladolid on Saturday.

They will dominate the ball and press high up the pitch. They will create overloads in wide areas to stretch the Valladolid defense and penetrate their rear guard. Their midfield will be the focal point in retaining and recycling possession as they pile pressure on the retreating Valladolid.

Real Valladolid will focus on a pragmatic approach to their game when they visit Villarreal. They will defend in numbers with their players tracking back and closing all spaces and passing channels.

They will force Villarreal to take shots from distance and to keep the ball in non-dangerous areas of the pitch.

Villarreal will win the match and extend their winning run to four matches on the trot in La Liga.

Make sure to bet on Villarreal vs Real Valladolid with 22Bet!