La Liga | Gameweek 22

Feb 1, 2025 at 3.15pm UK

Estadio de la Ceramica

Villarreal vs Valladolid

Match preview

Villarreal have won nine, drawn seven and lost five of their 21 league games this term, picking up 34 points to sit fifth in the table, six points behind fourth-placed Athletic.

The Yellow Submarine have been an excellent watch in La Liga this term, scoring 39 times, the third-best attacking record behind Barcelona (59) and Real Madrid (50), but they have conceded 32 goals, one of the worst defensive records of the season.

Marcelino's team drew 1-1 with Atlético Madrid last weekend, which is definitely a positive result, and they beat Mallorca 4-0 in their last home game on 20 January.

Villarreal have got 16 points from their 10 home league games this season, and they'll be welcoming a Real Valladolid outfit that's only got 3 points from their 10 La Liga fixtures on their travels in 2024-25.

The Yellow Submarine beat Real Valladolid 2-1 in the reverse match earlier this season, but they actually suffered a 2-1 defeat when the two teams last met at Estadio de la Ceramica in April 2023.

Real Valladolid are at the bottom of the La Liga table, with 15 points from 21 matches this season (four wins, three draws and 14 defeats), and they've conceded the most goals (42).

It's been a bit of a poor campaign so far, but they're only six points from 17th place, so a couple of good results could change the whole picture.

Diego Cocca's team will be coming into the match after a 3-0 home defeat to Real Madrid, and they also lost 2-1 to fellow relegation contenders Espanyol in their last away game on 17 January.Real Valladolid have only had one win this year, against Real Betis on 11 January, and their only away win in Spain's top division this season was against Alaves in the middle of October.

The third-best attack in the division is going to be up against the worst defence this weekend, so it could be a tough afternoon for Real Valladolid, who might even be looking at dropping back down into the Segunda Division.

Recent Performance

Villarreal La Liga form:LDWLWD

Real Valladolid La Liga form:LWLWLL

Real Valladolid form (all competitions):WLLWLL

Team News

Villarreal will again be without the services of Alfonso Pedraza and Ilias Akhomach due to injury, while Dani Parejo is a doubt with the issue that forced him to miss out against Atletico.

Head coach Marcelino is being careful with the fitness of leading goalscorer Ayoze Perez, but the Spain international is expected to be back in the XI for the match with Real Valladolid.

Gerard Moreno's goal against Atlético might also keep his spot, while Willy Kambwala's performance at the Wanda Metropolitano could earn him another start in the middle of the defence.

As for Real Valladolid, Raul Moro will miss the match due to a fractured collarbone, but Stanko Juric is available again after missing out against Real Madrid last weekend due to a suspension.

Mario Martin will now serve a suspension due to his red card against Real Madrid, so it is set to be a straight swap in the middle of midfield, with Juric coming back into the side.

Kike Perez and Juanmi Latasa are among the options for change this weekend, but head coach Cocca is expected to stick with the majority of the side that started against Real Madrid, with Marcos Andre likely to continue as the centre-forward.

Possible starting lineup

Villarreal possible starting lineup:

Luiz Junior; Femenia, Kambwala, Costa, S Cardona; Pino, Comesana, Gueye, Baena; G Moreno, Perez

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Hein; Perez, J Sanchez, D Torres, Rosa; Tuhami, Juric, Amallah; I Sanchez, Andre, Sylla