Preview: Valencia vs. Villarreal · prediction, team news, line-ups

Valencia host Villarreal at the Mestalla on Saturday, 24 October, with kick-off at 10:30 in central Mexico, in matchday 10 of LaLiga.

The hosts sit 19th on 6 points from nine games. The Yellow Submarine are 12th on 9 points.

Match preview

Valencia are enduring one of their worst starts in recent history. They have 6 points from nine games, matching their poorest return at this stage since 1997-98, and their goal difference stands at -9.

They have not won at home. Valencia have drawn two and lost three of their five home games, scoring 2 and conceding 9. Across the whole campaign they have found the net only 6 times.

Recent form is a string of draws. They held Athletic Club 0-0 on 17 October and drew 2-2 at Racing Santander on 11 October. Before that came a 3-2 home defeat to Real Sociedad, a 1-0 win at Alaves and a 1-0 loss at Sevilla.

Javier Aguirre will take charge of his third league game. He is unbeaten in the first two but yet to win, and his job is to drag Valencia out of the relegation zone.

Villarreal arrive with Champions League fatigue. They lost 4-3 at Anfield to Liverpool on Tuesday, a week after beating Napoli 3-1.

In the league, Villarreal are 12th on 9 points with a goal difference of zero. They drew 0-0 with Elche on 17 October, lost 1-0 at Real Madrid on 10 October and beat Levante 3-1 on 20 September.

On the road they have won once, drawn twice and lost twice in five games, scoring 7 and conceding 7. Against Elche they won 15 corners without scoring.

The head-to-head favours Villarreal. They won the last two meetings, 2-1 in February 2026 and 2-0 at the Mestalla in October 2025. There were 1-1 draws in February 2025 and August 2024, and a 1-0 Villarreal win in March 2024. Valencia have not beaten this opponent in their last five league meetings.

The context weighs on both sides. Each finished last season in the top half and now sits low in the table. Valencia are fighting for survival, while Villarreal want to stop their inconsistent league form from dragging on.

Team news

Aguirre has confirmed that Copete and Sadiq are unavailable. Diego Lopez is also out with a knee injury, so Valencia's treatment room remains busy.

Changes to the starting XI are expected. In midfield, Javi Guerra looks certain to start, with Pepelu, Ugrinic and Elliott competing for the other berth. Danjuma is tipped to lead the line ahead of Hugo Duro.

For Villarreal, Pepe remains sidelined after eye surgery. Carlos Romero dropped out of the Champions League squad with an adductor problem and is a probable absentee. Nathan Saliba was substituted at Anfield with a muscle issue and is doubtful.

Tajon Buchanan returned against Liverpool after missing three games and could start on a flank. Ilias Akhomach is in line to start after being rested in Europe, and Ayoze Perez looks set to be the main attacking reference.