Villarreal have been struggling recently and the Yellow Submarine continued to do so at the weekend, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Racing. The hosts were leading 2-1 at El Sardinero until the final seconds of the match when Nilmar struck to salvage a point.
The draw means that Villarreal have failed to win any of their last four fixtures in the Primera Division and have emerged victorious in just one of their last six competitive games. Once third and looking sure for a Champions League place, Juan Carlos Garrido's side now find themselves fourth in the league standings with 47 points from 25 matches, four points behind Valencia, who are currently third.
They do have a strong record at home collecting 32 out of a possible 39 points at El Madrigal, having scored 27 goals in those 13 fixtures, conceding only eight. The former Champions League semi-finalists will head into Wednesday's encounter against Hercules as the favourites.
Fighting For Survival
Hercules have achieved some encouraging and amazing results this season, including a shock 2-0 victory over defending champions and current league leaders Barcelona at Camp Nou but the Blanquiazules remain one of the sides in genuine danger of suffering relegation from the Primera Division at the end of the season.
Currently stationed 15th in the table with 26 points from 25 matches, Hercules are just two points above the relegation zone. At the weekend Esteban Vigo's side were held to a goalless draw at home by Getafe, which saw them get over their 2-1 defeat to Sevilla from the weekend before.
Hercules have wretched away form, too, as they have won just one game on the road in La Liga all season, and that came way back in September in Barcelona. Furthermore, they have scored just three times in opposition grounds in the league this campaign and have lost their last five away games.
Prediction
Hercules have proved this season that they are a side who can compete against the bigger teams in the Primera Division and win against them too. Villarreal have struggled of late but they should still be able to nick the game eventually.
Editor's Prediction
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