As La Liga's 19th round approaches, Valencia CF is gearing up to host Villarreal CF in a highly anticipated Derbi de la Comunitat on Tuesday evening.
With Valencia perched at 10th and Villarreal not far behind in 12th, this derby is more than just a regional rivalry; it's a crucial battle for mid-table supremacy.
Trotando hacia 2024 con estilo 🔝🤹🏻♂️ @Diegolopez_n9#ADNVCF 🦇 pic.twitter.com/WLStU9MzMb— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) December 31, 2023
Trotando hacia 2024 con estilo 🔝🤹🏻♂️ @Diegolopez_n9#ADNVCF 🦇 pic.twitter.com/WLStU9MzMb
Valencia enters the derby with a slender four-point lead over their neighbors. Their recent victory, a 1-0 triumph over Rayo Vallecano, was a hard-fought contest marked by Sergi Canós's decisive strike and a game filled with intense physicality, evident from the flurry of yellow and red cards.
Villarreal, meanwhile, comes off a thrilling 3-2 win against Celta de Vigo, showcasing their attacking flair with goals from Pedraza, Mandi, and Dani Parejo.
However, their defense has been less than stellar this season, having conceded 35 goals in 18 games, placing them among the teams with the leakiest defenses in La Liga.
Both teams have shown they can be formidable at home and capable of scoring, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter.
Valencia has maintained a strong record at their home ground, remaining unbeaten in 10 of their last 12 La Liga matches at Mestalla. Villarreal's recent away matches have often seen both teams scoring, suggesting they're both vulnerable defensively and potent offensively.
Looking at the recent head-to-head matches between the two sides, there's been no clear dominator. Four out of their last six encounters have ended with both teams scoring, indicating a balanced and competitive rivalry.
Their latest meeting ended in a 1-1 draw, a tightly contested affair that featured numerous cards, corners and shots.
Valencia will miss the services of Thierry Correia and Diakhaby due to suspensions, while Villarreal has a lengthier list of potential absentees, including Baena, Comesaña, Foyth, Pedraza, Pino, and Denis Suárez. The recent acquisition of Eric Bailly could be a move to bolster their defense in light of these absences.
As the derby looms, both teams understand the significance of the match, not only for bragging rights but also for vital league points. The anticipation suggests an early search for goals from both sides, aiming to assert dominance from the onset.
In a derby renowned for its passion and intensity, expect a tactical battle with moments of flair and perhaps a share of the spoils when the final whistle blows.
Forebet predicts a tightly contested draw, with both teams likely to score.