The Matchday 22 clash in La Liga between Villarreal and Valladolid will take place on February 1 at Estadio de la Cerámica. Villarreal vs. Valladolid: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Villarreal
The Valencians started the new year with an away defeat to Real Sociedad (0-1). However, they bounced back with a commanding home victory over Mallorca (4-0) and managed to take a point away at Atletico Madrid (1-1) in the last round. Despite this, it's worth noting that the team has only secured two wins in their last nine league matches (4 draws and 3 losses), which has caused Marcelino García's side to fall six points behind the top four.
- At least three goals have been scored in 12 of Villarreal's last 14 home matches in La Liga.
- Both teams scored in 10 of the last 12 home games for the Valencians in La Liga.
- The club scored exactly one goal in the first half in 7 of their last 9 home league matches.
Valladolid
The team has suffered defeats in their last two La Liga outings. Valladolid first lost away to Espanyol (1-2) and then were heavily beaten at home by Real Madrid (0-3). It's also worth noting that Diego Cocca's side has faced eight losses in their last 11 league matches (2 wins and 1 draw). The club remains at the bottom of the table, with the gap to the safety of 17th place now extended to six points.
Midfielder Mario Martin will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation. Noteworthy transfers include young defender Abdoulaye Djoum Bah moving to Manchester City (he will spend the second half of the season on loan at Lens) and midfielder Kike Perez transferring to Venezia.
- No more than three goals have been scored in Valladolid's last six La Liga matches.
- Valladolid is on a five-match losing streak away in La Liga.
- The club has scored only three first-half goals in their last 20 league matches.
Predicted lineups for Villarreal vs. Valladolid
Villarreal (4-4-2): Luis Junior – Sergi Cardona, Kiko Femenia, Willy Kambwala, Logan Costa – Yeremy Pino, Santi Comesaña, Alex Baena, Pape Gueye – Thierno Barry, Gerard Moreno.
Valladolid (4-3-3): Karl Hein – Javi Sanchez, Luis Perez, Lucas Rosa, David Torres – Ivan Sanchez, Mario Martin, Selim Amallah – Marcos Andre, Anuar Tuhami, Mamadou Sylla.
The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
Referee: Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos (Spain)
Matches – 10 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 49;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.9;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 20%.
Villarreal vs. Valladolid: Match Prediction
The favorite for the upcoming match is clear, given the significant difference in the league standings between the teams. The hosts are expected to defeat the Primera's underdog, especially since Valladolid struggles against top-tier opponents. Valladolid has played three away matches against teams in the top half of the table this season, suffering heavy defeats in each.
This season, the Valencians have faced teams from the bottom half of the table in 10 matches, securing 7 wins and drawing 3 times. At home, Villarreal has played four league games against these opponents, scoring three or more goals in three of them. It's also worth noting Valladolid's away performance – in their last 14 La Liga away matches, the club has suffered 12 defeats, conceding at least two goals in 12 of those matches, and losing by two or more goals in half of them.
My prediction: Villarreal with a handicap (-1.5)