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La Liga Preview: Valencia - Villarreal
WHAT: Primera Division Matchday 18 WHO: Valencia (2nd, 33pts) v Villarreal (7th, 29pts) WHEN: Saturday, 10 January, 2100 CET WHERE: Mestalla, Valencia
Jan 9, 2009 6:39:59 PM
Matchday 18 in La Liga sees Villarreal travel to Valencia in what is already a crucial match in the battle for Champions League positions, even this early in the season. It features two sides with current contrasting fortunes.
Valencia under the stewardship of Unai Emery have managed to almost extinguish the memories of last seasons’ horror show under Ronald Koeman, and despite financial restrictions the prodigious young coach is setting about taking Los Che back in amongst the sides at the top of the table, where many believe they belong.
It always helps, though, when you are able to call on players of the quality of David Silva and David Villa. The former was in sensational form last weekend as Valencia dismantled fellow top-four challengers Atletico Madrid with a superb display of attacking football. However is has been David Villa’s goals that have taken his side to second in the table. The much-coveted striker is a consistent scorer, something that is difficult to find in the modern game, and Emery knows how important it will be to hold onto him until at least the end of the season.
On current form and levels of performance Valencia are probably deserving of their current second place in La Liga, and this can mainly be attributed to their home form. Los Che have notched up seven wins from nine league matches at the Mestalla, so Villarreal may be in for another rough evening come Saturday night.
Tough Times At El Madrigal
Pellegrini’s men know all about tough fixtures at the moment, and it is beginning to show its strain on their league position, and potentially squad morale. They have taken just four points from their last six outings, and sandwiched in between was a dreadfully poor Champions League display away to Celtic.
The season had started with such promise, and after their second place exploits of 2007/08, many observers believed that with the new additions in the summer that Villarreal could conceivably pose a real threat to the perennial title challengers Barcelona and Real Madrid. And for a while, it appeared that would be the case, as they went unbeaten until the middle of November. But the rug has been pulled from under their season in cataclysmic fashion in recent weeks.
Chilean coach Pellegrini has recently said he is at a loss to explain the change in form from potential Primera Division contenders to La Liga also-rans in the space of six short weeks, but their downturn can be pinpointed in a number of key areas. Midfield organiser Marcos Senna looks jaded, and his summer exploits look as though they are beginning to take their toll, as does fellow Euro 2008 winner Santi Cazorla. Perhaps more crucial has been the absence of Joseba Llorente from their forward line. The former Valladolid man has been an inspired purchase, and his goals galvanised the team earlier in the campaign. It is no coincidence that their indifferent run of form has arrived when the forward has been missing through injury.
Defeats to Sevilla, Barcelona and Real Madrid consecutively have knocked Los Submarinos Amarillos down to seventh place in the table and they must halt the slide somewhere. But Silva is back, Villa is still scoring and Valencia are formidable at home. Can there be any outcome rather than a home win?
Valencia
Last 5 Results
Dec 07 Racing Santander 1-1 Valencia (Copa Del Rey)
Dec 03 Valencia 3-1 Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
Dec 20 Real Madrid 1-0 Valencia (La Liga)
Dec 17 St. Etienne 2-2 Valencia (Uefa Cup)
Dec 13 Valencia 2-1 Espanyol (La Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Messrs David Villa and David Silva should return to the starting line-up at the expense of Edu and Fernando Morientes after both were rested for the Copa Del Rey match at Racing in midweek. Vicente will be suspended after picking up a straight red card in the match in Santander, and Miguel who was also dismissed, is facing up to three match ban after a tirade at the match officials. Alexis is still missing at the back , meaning either Maduro or Raul Albiol will partner Carlos Marchena in defence.
Probable XI: Renan, Maduro, Raul Albiol, Marchena, Del Horno; Silva, Fernandes, Albelda, Joaquin; Mata, Villa
PLAYER TO WATCH
David Silva marked his return to action after injury in blistering style, almost single-handedly destroying Atletico Madrid last weekend, and with the shaky defensive form of Villarreal, expect the exceptional Spaniard to dish out another night of torment.
Villarreal
Last 5 Results
Jan 04 Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal (La Liga)
Dec 21 Villarreal 1-2 Barcelona (La Liga)
Dec 14 Sevilla 1-0 Villarreal (La Liga)
Dec 10 Celtic 2-0 Villarreal (Champions League)
Dec 06 Villarreal 3-3 Getafe (La Liga)
TEAM NEWS
For much of this season Pellegrini has had a selection headache due to mounting injuries, but now his major concern is the form of his team, and some wholesale changes may be required to get El Submarinos Amarillos back to some kind of level of form. One man definitely out though is Marcos Senna, after the club chose not to appeal his 5th yellow card of the season picked up at the Bernabeu last weekend. Nihat is also likely to be missing which could see Llorente return to the side after a six week lay-off through injury.
Probable XI: Diego Lopez; Angel, Gonzalo, Godin, Capdevilla; Pires, Bruno, Eguren, Cazorla; Rossi, Llorente
PLAYER TO WATCH
Despite his sides’ poor form stopper Diego Lopez has remained impressive throughout and it is little wonder that bigger clubs are circling. He is an inspired shot-stopper, and he will need to be tonight to subdue the prolific Villa.
PREDICTION
Valencia are hot at home, while Villarreal just can’t pick up a win anywhere at the moment. The away side’s form will unquestionably improve, but it will need to wait one more week. Valencia to win with something to spare.
Valencia 3-1 Villarreal
--Paul Macdonald, Goal.com
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