La Liga Preview: Villarreal - Real Valladolid

Followers of Villarreal and Real Valladolid may well enjoy sharing a paella before the teams face each other, but mutual affection will be left in the dressing room as both sides battle to climb out of the bottom half of the Primera Division table.

The two provincial clubs formed a strong relationship upon Villarreal’s first-ever promotion to the top flight in 1999, and the supporters have planned celebrations all weekend long.

Momentum Building

However, Yellow Submarines coach Ernesto Valverde’s only concern is that his players manage to maintain their momentum. Despite their dreadful start to the season, the former Espanyol coach has spearheaded a recovery of sorts. A pivotal victory against Malaga proved to be springboard for a run of five consecutive victories at El Madrigal, including a 4-1 thumping of Lazio that re-ignited their Europa League aspirations.

Villarreal look to be an abundantly confident team again, which was highlighted by their battling display in the thrilling 3-2 defeat against Sevilla prior to the international break. Although the match ended in a loss, Valverde could have been pleased with the way in which his side approached the encounter, playing flowing football and scoring goals again.

What remains an issue is the susceptibility of the back four, which regardless of shuffling and re-jigging remains extremely porous and is most definitely an area that needs addressing. Once-promising central defender Gonzalo Rodriguez looks to have lost his confidence, and has been red carded three times already, casting a doubt over his long-term future.

Hot & Cold

Two clean sheets in ten matches tells its own story, and is a factor that opposing coach Jose Luis Mendilibar will be all too aware of. His Valladolid side lie just a point better off in the La Liga table than their rivals and they too appear to be unpredictable this season.

When Pucela are firing on all cylinders, they have the potential to be formidable, as their emphatic 4-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna shows, but they are equally capable of conceding and have lost heavily to the likes of Valencia, Real Madrid and Real Mallorca.

One win in seven matches is the antithesis of a top half performance, and with both sides involved in high scoring encounters this season, an exciting match could be on the cards.

FORM GUIDE

Villarreal

10 Nov Villarreal 1-0 UD Puertollano (Copa del Rey)
08 Nov Sevilla 3-2 Villarreal (La Liga)
05 Nov Villarreal 4-1 Lazio (Europa League)
01 Nov Villarreal 5-0 Tenerife (La Liga)
29 Oct  Puertollano 1-1 Villarreal (Copa del Rey)

Valladolid

08 Nov Valladolid 0-0 Xerez (La Liga)
01 Nov Espanyol 1-1 Valladolid (La Liga)
25 Oct Valladolid 4-0 Deportivo La Coruna (La Liga)
17 Oct Real Madrid 4-2 Valladolid (La Liga)
04 Oct Valladolid 2-2 Athletic Bilbao (La Liga)

TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

Damian Escudero is unlikely to face his former side after spraining his ankle in training, while Santi Cazorla is improving but is still unfit as he battles back from a herniated disk.

Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Diego Lopez – Angel, Marcano, Godin, Capdevila – Cani, Senna, Eguren, Pires – Nilmar, Rossi

Valladolid

Fabian Canobbio has suffered a bruise to his Achilles tendon and is  a doubt for the clash at El Madrigal, but otherwise Mendilibar has a full squad at his disposal, with midfielder Sisi returning to action after five weeks out.

Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Justo Villar – Pedro Lopez, Luis Prieto, Nivaldo, Marcos – Aleman, Rubio, Borja, Bueno – Da Silva Costa, Manucho

MEN TO WATCH

Villarreal

Giuseppe Rossi will be hoping that his goal that edged his side through their Copa del Rey clash with Puertollano can kick-start his season. The Italian hitman's form has been as slow as the club's in general, but if Rossi starts finding the net he can aid Villarreal’s efforts to climb the table.

Valladolid

Former Las Palmas midfielder Nauzet Aleman has successfully made the step up to the Primera Division and has netted four goals in seven matches. The 24-year old has been a surprising hit for coach Jose Luis Mendilibar, and Villarreal will need to be vigilant of his attacking prowess when supporting from the right.


PREDICTION

This is a pivotal match for the home side and they should make their superiority show by securing their third home league win in a row.

Villarreal 2-0 Valladolid

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com