Villarreal host Valencia in a match between two teams aiming to be in Europe (Saturday, 4:15pm CET)
Villarreal CF are back home for Christmas. The Submarine will inaugurate the remodelled Estadio de la Cerámica in style. Quique Setién’s team will face Valencia CF in front of their fans after more than seven-and-a-half months of major renovations at the stadium.
The Submarine will welcome 2023 with a derby of the highest calibre against Los Che. More than 20,000 fans will celebrate the New Year by enjoying a very special match, which pits two teams fighting for European places.
Both teams go into the game in a very similar situation in the standings. Villarreal, in ninth place, are two points clear of Gennaro Gattuso’s side, who are in tenth place with 19 points.
The last meeting between the two sides went in Villarreal’s favour. The Submarine beat their neighbours 2-0 at the Estadio de la Cerámica in the last official clash between the two sides. A brace from Arnaut Danjuma gave the Yellows the win in a match that took place on 19th April.
The regional derby will be the first league fixture for Villarreal and Valencia after the break for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. During this period, the Submarine have had three friendly wins against Galatasaray (3-4), Aston Villa (0-1) and Napoli (2-3). After the friendlies, the Yellows returned to official competition and overcame CD Guijuelo in the Round 2 of the Copa del Rey with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Gerard Moreno and Danjuma.
