- Valencia have failed to win any of their last 4 LaLiga 2026/2027 home games (D1, L3) and have scored just 2 goals.
- Villarreal have won 3, drawn 1 and lost just 1 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Villarreal have won 3 of the last 5 head-to-heads (D2, L0) and Valencia have not beaten them in either of the 2 meetings this season.
Valencia in trouble and Villarreal on the rise
Valencia CF sit 19th in LaLiga 2026/2027 with just 5 points from 8 games so the pressure is already building quickly at the Mestalla, where they are winless after 4 matches (D1, L3).
Javier Aguirre has hardly had enough time to leave a mark on the team, but it's clear that the pragmatism he will bring to Los Che should help to keep the ship afloat in the near term, with their results since his appointment being more typical of his teams in recent times - a 2-3 home defeat to Real Sociedad and a 2-2 away draw with Racing Santander.
This Valencia CF vs Villarreal CF preview highlights why the derby could be tight, as Villarreal, meanwhile, are 9th with 9 points after 9 games, keeping them closer to the top-half pack as the Spanish season rolls on. Iñigo Pérez's side are compact, well-drilled and very dangerous when they hit you on the break.
Villarreal can nick derby at Mestalla
The visitors have shown plenty of bite in their recent run of a 1-0 away defeat to Real Madrid, a 3-1 home win over Napoli in the UEFA Champions League and a 0-0 draw with Elche.
Pape Gueye leads their LaLiga 2026/2027 scoring with 3 goals in 7 appearances and looks a good bet to strike in this contest, so El Submarino Amarillo will be a real threat in front of goal on Saturday. Aaron Mayol looks the most dangerous Valencia player on the field at the moment with 1 goal in 2 appearances, but he remains the only striker on the roster with an international reputation.
With Villarreal in slightly better form than their hosts, a slightly superior derby record and Valencia desperate for a response, it's worth supporting the away side to nick the result in what could be a very tense affair. Valencia will look to dig in and grind out a result, but Villarreal's extra sharpness in all areas of the field will allow them to nick the game at the close of play.
Our Valencia CF vs Villarreal CF betting tips lean toward the away side, while Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 goals are live betting angles here, but we're going for Villarreal, who can be backed at a shade of favorite at 2.12 versus Valencia at 3.15 and the Draw at 3.55.
Valencia CF vs Villarreal CF prediction: the visitors to edge a close derby.
Valencia CF vs Villarreal CF prediction: Villarreal to win narrowly at Mestalla.
