Villarreal vs Valencia betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions and odds

Updated: July 25, 2022 at 7:40 pm GMT+1

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The last six meetings between these two have all produced home wins with the last away win in La Liga going Villarreal's way in 2017. Both teams have scored in four of their last seven encounters.

Both teams to score is 19/20.

Villarreal to win and both teams to score is 5/2.

Arnaut Danjuma is 13/5 to break the deadlock and 19/20 to score anytime.

Match preview

Valencia CF v Levante UD - La Liga Santander VALENCIA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 13: Uroš Račić of Valencia in action during the La Liga match between Valencia and Levante at Mestalla on September 13, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Both of these two local rivals could enjoy historic cup success this season but, in league terms, this is a pivotal fixture in the race for Europe.

Villarreal have been the Champions League's surprise package, knocking out Atalanta, Juventus and now Bayern Munich.

So, el Submarino Amarillo are through to the semi-finals for the first time in 16 years and will face Liverpool at Anfield in just eight days time.

Despite this, Unai Emery's men are far from guaranteed to be back in any European competition next season.

Goals from Gerard Moreno and Manu Trigueros saw Villarreal beat Getafe 2-1 on Saturday but, despite this, they're still down in seventh.

Valencia are three places and seven points below their hots but their biggest game of the season is coming up just this weekend.

Los Murciélagos will face Real Betis at Estadio de La Cartuja on Saturday in the Copa del Rey Final, looking to lift the trophy for the ninth time.

José Bordalás' men will qualify for the Europa League group stages with victory in that final and that's looking like their best route into Europe.

That's because los Che slipped down to tenth place on Saturday, following their 2-1 reverse against Osasuna at Mestalla.

Thus, with all of Valencia's eggs in the Copa del Rey basket, Villarreal will hope to take advantage at Estadio de la Cerámica.

Villarreal team news

Villarreal CF v Bayern München - Quarter Final Leg One - UEFA Champions League VILLARREAL, SPAIN - APRIL 06: Jamal Musiala of Bayern Muenchen is challenged by Étienne Capoue of Villarreal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final between Villarreal and Bayern München at Estadio de la Ceramica on April 06, 2022 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Given that Unai Emery's team are next in action against Liverpool in eight days time, he can surely play his best XI here.

This could see Étienne Capoue and Giovani Lo Celso return to midfield with Pervis Estupiñán, Raúl Albiol and Arnaut Danjuma also coming back in.

Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin will both face the club they left for Villarreal less than two years ago.

Valencia team news

Valencia CF v Granada CF - La Liga Santander VALENCIA, SPAIN - MARCH 21: Mouctar Diakhaby of Valencia CF looks on during the La Liga Santander match between Valencia CF and Granada CF at Estadio Mestalla on March 21, 2021 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

José Bordalás, in contrast, may wrap his star players in cotton wool for Saturday.

Namely, Gonçalo Guedes, Carlos Soler and José Luis Gayà could be protected.

USA international Yunus Musah is currently out injured.

La Liga table:

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