Both teams had strong seasons during the 17/18 season, with Valencia reaching 4th place and Villarreal achieving 5th place in La Liga. Both teams also spent heavily over the summer, investing in over €175m in players between them, hoping that these players would be able to propel them to the next level. As of yet, this hasn’t yet happened, with Valencia yet to find a win after the 4 games prior to this fixture, drawing 3 and losing one. Villarreal have also struggled, racking up 1 win, a daw and 2 losses before this fixture. With both teams out of form and of similar quality, both would be eager to get some points on the board.
Team News
Both teams lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with quite a number of each teams big money signings missing out. €18m striker Toko Ekambi missed out for Villarreal with Carlos Bacca and new signing Gerard Moreno preferred, whilst new signing Miguel Layun started on the left-hand side of midfield joining another new signing in Funes Mori who played in the unfamiliar position of central midfield.
For Valencia, €40m signing Goncalo Guedes missed out, meaning he has yet to start a league game since rejoining from his loan spell last season. On-loan Chelsea star Michy Batshuayi also starts on the bench with Kevin Gameiro and Santi Mina instead leading the line. There was, however, starts for new signings Carlos Piccini at right back, Mouctar Diakhaby at centre-back and star of the World Cup Denis Cheryshev who has joined on loan from opponents Villarreal.
