(Football news) Villarreal defeated Celta Vigo 3-2 at home in their most recent game, while Valencia came into the winter break in La Liga on the heels of a 1-0 triumph over Rayo Vallecano in Madrid. After playing eighteen league games this season, Valencia has won six, drawn five, and lost seven of them, totaling 23 points. As 2024 approaches, Valencia is ranked tenth in the table.
There is obviously space for improvement this season after Los Che finished in 16th place in La Liga the previous season—their lowest position since they were demoted at the end of the 1985–86 campaign.
Although Ruben Baraja’s team has struggled with consistency, they have had a fair amount of success at home, winning four, drawing two, and losing two of their eight games to earn 14 points.
Prior to the winter break, Valencia had only won once in the league away from home. Sergi Canos’ goal in the second half gave Los Che the advantage over Rayo, and they will now look to win twice in a row in Spain’s top flight for the first time since the beginning of the season.
Despite this, the six-time Spanish champions have not won in their past three encounters with Villarreal, including a 1-1 tie in their match at Mestalla last season.
Last season, Villarreal had a strong La Liga campaign, finishing in fifth place in the standings and earning a direct trip to the Europa League group stage.
Nevertheless, the Yellow Submarine’s 2023–24 season has been turbulent in the first half. The team is currently under the leadership of their third permanent manager; Quique Setien was fired in September after a dismal start, and Pacheta was only in place for two months before Marcelino took over as head coach on November 13.
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