DID YOU KNOW?
* Valencia could take a giant step towards securing themselves a third-place finish, if they can overcome local rivals Villarreal at the Mestalla. They had replaced Villarreal in third spot last weekend and had built a three-point cushion after defeating Getafe 4-2.
* This gap will virtually be a seven point distance as Valencia had drawn 1-1 at El Madrigal. As La Liga considers head-to-head record of the teams level on points, this advantage may prove to be crucial, should both finish on same points.
* Los Che have not won a single game by more than two goals this season. Even the games that they have lost, the difference has not been greater than two goals except once.
* Valencia boss Unai Emery named a 19-man squad for the encounter, with Joaquin Sanchez, Miguel and Vicente Guaita all returning. David Navarro and David Albelda are still unavailable.
* The crowd at Mestalla has not seen a goal scored by the home side in their last three home games and only once Valencia has managed to defeat Villarreal in their last 10 meetings.
* In contrast, Villarreal have scored in their last three league away games. Despite this, Villarreal are also struggling for form having only won twice in their last nine league games.
* As far as both the teams are concerned they have failed to score only 11 times between them in this season out of 60 games combined. Thus, this match is unlikely to be a scoreless draw. In fact, only once out of in the last 10 games against each other, have both teams failed to score.
* Villarreal have lost to Valencia only once in their last 10 meetings.
* The Yellow Submarine have the fourth best record in La Liga away from home. Despite this they have conceded more goals than they have scored. Even if the ‘Big two’ matches are taken out of equation, they have conceded 14 goals in 12 away games.
* Both the teams tend to concede near the end of the first halves, with the average time of first conceded goal being the 40th minute mark.
* Juan Carlos Garrido lost captain Gonzalo Rodriguez with a broken leg. He underwent an operation and is set to be sidelined for up to four months. Also missing due to injury are Marcos Senna, Cani and Angel Lopez.
LAST MEETING
January 6, 2011: Villarreal 4-2 Valencia
The two sides met in the last-16 of the Copa del Rey. After a goalless first leg draw at the Mestalla, Villarreal swept to a 4-2 victory in the return leg at El Madrigal in a stunning comeback win. Los Che took a first half lead through Ever Banega and Roberto Soldado, but Santi Cazorla and Giuseppe Rossi levelled the game in the first four minutes of the second half before Marco Ruben and Rossi struck to give El Submarino a thrilling win.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Valencia: César; Stankevicius, Ricardo Costa, Mathieu, Bruno Saltor; Tino Costa, Topal, Joaquin, Jonas, Mata; Soldado Valencia
Villarreal: Diego Lopez; Musacchio, Capdevilla, Mario MartÃnez, Marchena; Bruno Soriano, Cazorla, Valero, Rubén; Rossi, Nilmar
Prediction
This is a very unusual match. If the La Liga form book is to be considered, Valencia are hands down winners. However, Villarreal have a formidable record at Mestalla in the recent years. However, with loss of defensive players including their captain Gonzalo, it seems a bit difficult for the yellow submarine to get anything out of this match.
Valencia 2-1 Villarreal 
