Real Valladolid vs Villarreal 09/02/19

09 February 2019

The two sides battling for the same goal – bypassing La Liga relegation – will face-off at the Estadio Jose Zorrilla as Real Valladolid take on Villarreal.

Four defeats in their last seven LL outings (W1, D2, L4) have fired the hosts closer to the relegation zone although they were fighting for the European promotion only a few weeks ago. The returnees’ notable drop-off in form has seen them won just one of the previous seven LL home games (W1, D3, L3). In that sequence, the Blanquivioletas have scored seven goals while conceding nine in the process. Sergio Gonzalez’s potential worry could be that Valladolid (10) scored fewer goals at home than any other team in the Spanish top flight, failing to hit the net in 4 of 10 LL home clashes.

Stationed five points adrift of La Liga safety, the visitors have to find a way to end a nine-game LL winless run if looking to remain in the Spanish top flight for another year. The Yellow Submarine’s disastrous campaign has seen them secure just three wins in 22 league fixtures (W3, D10, L9) which is the joint-worst record in La Liga. Although two of those three triumphs came on the road, both date back to September. Winless in their last 12 away clashes across all competitions (D6, L5), Javier Calleja’s men have conceded over 1.5 goals per match on four of the previous five competitive road trips, failing to find the net three times in the process.

Provisional line-up – Real Valladolid:

Gk: Jordi Masip Defense: Antonito – Nacho – Calero – Kiko Olivas Midfield: Toni – Oscar Plano – Alcaraz – Borja Fernandez Attack: Keko – Sergi

Provisional line-up – Villarreal:

Gk: Asenjo Defense: Alvaro – Bonera – Funes Mori – Miguelon – Pedraza Midfield: Cazorla – Iborra – Fornals Attack: Gerard Moreno – Toko Ekambi