Valencia vs Villarreal Preview

The iconic Mestalla prepares to host one of Spanish football’s most compelling regional rivalries as Valencia welcome Villarreal in a clash that promises to ignite the passion of the Comunidad Valenciana. Los Che, desperate to rediscover their fighting spirit in front of their demanding faithful, face a Yellow Submarine side that has consistently demonstrated their ability to compete with Europe’s elite while maintaining their distinctive tactical identity. This Saturday night spectacle kicks off at 20:00 GMT on October 25th, 2025, with both sides seeking crucial points in what promises to be a tactical battle between two contrasting philosophies that could define their respective seasons.

Valencia’s recent form tells a troubling tale of inconsistency and missed opportunities that has left the Mestalla faithful yearning for the glory days. The Bats arrive into this fixture on the back of a frustrating goalless draw with Alavés, a result that epitomized their current struggles to convert possession into meaningful attacking threat. Their campaign has been punctuated by disappointing setbacks, including a damaging 2-1 defeat to Girona that exposed defensive frailties and a narrow 2-1 loss at home against Real Oviedo that highlighted their inability to maintain leads. A frustrating 2-2 draw with Espanyol away further demonstrated their propensity to drop points from winning positions, while their sole bright moment came in the form of a much-needed 2-0 victory over Athletic Club that provided temporary respite from mounting pressure.

Villarreal’s recent trajectory paints a picture of a side struggling to find their rhythm across multiple competitions, with results reflecting the challenges of balancing domestic and European commitments. The Yellow Submarine’s most recent outing saw them suffer a comprehensive 2-0 defeat at Manchester City in Champions League action, a result that, while expected against such caliber opposition, highlighted areas requiring immediate attention. Their domestic form has been equally concerning, with a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Real Betis representing another frustrating result where maximum points slipped through their grasp. The 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid demonstrated the gulf that still exists between them and La Liga’s elite, while their 2-2 draw with Juventus in European competition showcased their capacity to compete with continental heavyweights. However, their 1-0 victory over Athletic Club provided evidence of their ability to grind out results when the tactical approach aligns perfectly.

The head-to-head record between these Valencian neighbors reveals a fascinating dynamic that has evolved significantly in recent encounters. Their most recent meeting in February 2025 ended in a tightly contested 1-1 draw at home, a result that perfectly encapsulated the competitive balance between these two sides. The previous encounter in August 2024 also concluded with identical honors shared following another 1-1 draw away from home, suggesting tactical parity between the clubs. Villarreal’s narrow 1-0 victory at home in March 2024 demonstrated their capacity to edge tight contests, while Valencia’s impressive 3-1 triumph in January 2024 served as a reminder of their potential when all elements align. The pattern continues with another 1-1 draw in May 2023, reinforcing the notion that these encounters rarely produce decisive victors.

Football enthusiasts across the globe can witness this La Liga encounter through comprehensive broadcast coverage. In Spain, Movistar+ and Amazon Prime Video will provide extensive coverage through M+ LALIGA TV, ensuring comprehensive analysis and commentary. United States viewers can access the action via ESPN Select, fuboTV, and ESPN Deportes, while Canadian supporters can tune in through TSN+ and Amazon Prime Video. German fans can catch every moment on DAZN Germany and Amazon Prime Video, ensuring this captivating derby reaches international audiences seeking the finest Spanish football has to offer.

Injured Players:

Valencia: Mouctar Diakhaby (Out), Largie Ramazani (Out), Filip Ugrinic (Doubtful), Dimitri Foulquier (Doubtful)

Villarreal: Logan Costa (Out), Willy Kambwala (Out), Pau Cabanes (Out)

Possible line-ups:

Valencia (4-4-2)

Agirrezabala, Copete, Guerra, Danjuma, Tárrega, Pepelu, Duro, Gayà, López, Correia, Rioja

Villarreal (4-4-2)

Tenas, Oluwaseyi, Parejo, Veiga, Pérez, Gueye, Marín, Akhomach, Mouriño, Moleiro, Cardona

🦇 Valencia Form (Last 5 Games)

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	W/D/L
D	Alavés	0-0	Valencia	Spanish LALIGA	🤝
L	Girona	2-1	Valencia	Spanish LALIGA	❌
L	Valencia	1-2	Real Oviedo	Spanish LALIGA	❌
D	Espanyol	2-2	Valencia	Spanish LALIGA	🤝
W	Valencia	2-0	Athletic Club	Spanish LALIGA	✅

🟡 Villarreal Form (Last 5 Games)

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	W/D/L
L	Villarreal	0-2	Manchester City	Champions League	❌
D	Villarreal	2-2	Real Betis	Spanish LALIGA	🤝
L	Real Madrid	3-1	Villarreal	Spanish LALIGA	❌
D	Villarreal	2-2	Juventus	Champions League	🤝
W	Villarreal	1-0	Athletic Club	Spanish LALIGA	✅

⚔️ Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Games)

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition
Villarreal	1-1	Valencia	Spanish LALIGA
Valencia	1-1	Villarreal	Spanish LALIGA
Villarreal	1-0	Valencia	Spanish LALIGA
Valencia	3-1	Villarreal	Spanish LALIGA
Valencia	1-1	Villarreal	Spanish LALIGA

📺 TV Listings / Streaming

Country	Channel/Platform
Spain	Movistar+, Amazon Prime Video, M+ LALIGA TV
United States	ESPN Select, fuboTV, ESPN Deportes
Canada	TSN+, Amazon Prime Video
Germany	DAZN Germany, Amazon Prime Video
United Kingdom	Disney+ Premium
France	beIN Sports 2, myCANAL
Italy	DAZN Italia, SKY Go Italia
Portugal	DAZN Portugal
Australia	beIN Sports Connect, Amazon Prime Video
Brazil	Disney+ Premium Brazil