Villarreal Faces Valencia in Critical LaLiga Showdown

VILLARREAL, Spain — Villarreal CF will aim to press Athletic Club in the race for the fourth position with a vital victory against Valencia CF, who are in desperate need of points, on Saturday. This match is part of the 24th round of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-2025.

The encounter will take place at 21:00 local time at Estadio de La Cerámica, featuring two teams with starkly different aspirations: Villarreal, currently in fifth place, and Valencia, sitting just above the relegation zone. This match is particularly significant for Villarreal’s coach Marcelino García Toral, who previously led Valencia to the Champions League in 2019 and won the Copa del Rey against FC Barcelona.

Despite past ties, Marcelino will focus solely on the match to help Villarreal extend their pursuit of the Athletic Club while defending their valuable position in the table. The Castellonian team has recently picked up ten out of the last twelve points, including a win over UD Las Palmas last Saturday, indicating a return to form as they enter a crucial stage of the season.

Villarreal is looking to fortify its home advantage with hopes of securing a third consecutive win at La Cerámica. They have shown dominant performances in recent matches, with a resounding 5-1 victory over Real Valladolid and a 4-0 win against RCD Mallorca. A victory on Saturday would place them just one point behind Athletic Club and provide a significant cushion over sixth-place Rayo Vallecano.

However, Villarreal will be without key players Gerard Moreno and Kiko Femenía, while Juan Foyth remains a doubt ahead of the encounter. Meanwhile, Valencia faces its own set of challenges, striving to translate their home form to away matches since the arrival of coach Carlos Corberán.

Valencia has gained momentum through its last three home victories against Real Sociedad, Celta, and Leganés. Yet their away form has been abysmal, managing only four points from a possible thirty-three, along with a significant lack of offensive production (six goals) and defensive weaknesses (twenty-three conceded).

The ‘che’ team is desperate to break their ongoing losing streak in La Cerámica, where they have lost their last five visits. Historically, Valencia has only managed four wins across twenty-four encounters at this stadium.

Corberán must find a replacement for suspended Enzo Barrenechea, likely opting for Pepelu, while he regains Dimitri Foulquier for right-back duties.

Earlier on Saturday, the day in LaLiga EA Sports will kick off at 14:00 local time at Estadio de Butarque. CD Leganés will face Deportivo Alavés in a crucial relegation battle.

Leganés is attempting to stabilize in the league, currently marking safety with twenty-three points, just two ahead of Alavés. Therefore, the three points at stake are essential, though not definitive given the remaining fixtures.

Both teams arrive at this match following disappointing performances, with each losing their last two league matches and only managing one point from the last nine available. Expectations are set for a tight match with limited opportunities, as Leganés aims to leverage their home advantage despite recent struggles.

Leganés head coach Borja Jiménez will welcome back Seyduba Cisse and Sergio González; however, he will miss Yvan Neyou due to suspension. There is a possibility of deploying a three-center-back formation. Alavés’s coach Eduardo Coudet may also provide a debut opportunity for recent winter acquisition Carles Aleñá.

Saturday’s match schedule in LaLiga EA Sports includes:

Leganés vs. Alavés, González Fuertes (C.Asturiano) 14:00.

Osasuna vs. Real Madrid, Munuera Montero (C.Andaluz) 16:15.

Atlético Madrid vs. Celta, Martínez Munuera (C.Valenciano) 18:30.

Villarreal vs. Valencia, De Burgos Bengoetxea (C.Vasco) 21:00.