Villarreal vs Valencia Prediction 17.03.2024

• Competition: Spain - LaLiga
• Date: Sunday, 17th, March 2024
• Kickoff: 15:15 UTC / 16.15 CET
• Venue: Estadio de la Ceramica (Villarreal)

The only LaLiga side with a 100% record in March, Villarreal will be looking to maintain that momentum as they host European-chasing Valencia at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday.

Villarreal vs Valencia Betting Tips: Villarreal to Win

After suffering a 0-4 drubbing in France, it seemed like there was no way out for them in the second leg, but Villarreal rose like a "Phoenix from the ashes," forcing Marseille fans to bite their nails after Mosquera's 85th-minute third goal, yet numerous missed chances in the drowning minutes eventually caught up with the Spanish side, conceding a late goal and thus losing 3-5 on aggregate.

Despite bowing out of UEFA's second-tier competition in the last-16 round, Marcelino's squad has every reason to hold their heads high, using their brave midweek display as a springboard for further battles on the domestic front, all while their European aspirations still flicker, trailing eight points behind Real Sociedad in fifth.

As the current campaign nears its conclusion, the Yellow Submarine has found its stride at a pivotal moment, and more importantly, embracing a free-scoring approach in recent weeks has seen them make it three wins on the bounce in the Spanish top-flight versus Real Sociedad, Granada, and Real Betis, netting an outstanding 11 times in the process.

Heading into Sunday's stern test with no losses in eight straight LaLiga outings, securing four success and sharing the spoils on as many occasions during that span, the high-flying Villarreal will fancy their chances of picking up another three points, leaning on their recent dominance over Valencia, having emerged victorious in four home clashes in a row.

Opposed to the Sunday's home side, Valencia hasn't been burdened with UEFA obligations midweek, but this season finds itself on track to end a five-year wait for a return to the European stage, currently sitting in eighth place on the table with a solid 40 points, placing them just three steps behind Real Sociedad in fifth and the final European berth with a game in hand.

Otherwise, Los Ches make their first visit to foreign territory in a month, as their previous three league appearances took place at the Mestalla, where they made good use of home advantage by snagging five out of a possible nine points, holding Sevilla and table-toppers Real Madrid to stalemates before Hugo Duro guided them to a slender 1-0 victory over Getafe.

While they've been exceptionally successful on their own turf, racking up an impressive 28 out of their 40 this season in front of their home faithful, Ruben Baraja's men have struggled to translate their enviable home form into their away travels, as evidenced by just two triumphant displays in their last 12 LaLiga outings on the road, succumbing to defeat on seven occasions along the way.

Furthemore, Valencia's recent away fixtures haven't brought much joy, as they've come away empty-handed in five of their last seven such outings, including back-to-back slides to 0-2 losses against Atletico Madrid and Las Palmas, so the rising side of Villarreal should take advantage of their Sunday rivals' travel woes and put another three points in the coffers to help them get back into the race for a top-five finish.