Valencia and Villarreal are preparing for the next regional derby at the Mestalla, with the aim of Javier Aguirre's team closing the season with a home victory. The match, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., promises to be a duel of equals, since the last four games in the Valencian stadium have ended with a black and white victory, two draws and a yellow victory.
The context of the rivalry has changed in recent years. While Villarreal has consolidated its position thanks to solid management and has been gaining ground, Valencia has suffered a crisis under the direction of Peter Lim, finishing in penultimate position and fighting to avoid relegation. In this scenario, Valencia seeks not only to score three points in its third match under Aguirre, but also to demonstrate that the team can compete at the highest level in the derby.
The Mexican coach plans to have the usual lineup: Dimitrievski in goal, Maffeo, Tárrega, De Haas and Gayà in defense, Guido, Pepelu, Guerra, Luis Rioja and Otorbi in midfield, and Danjuma up front. For its part, Villarreal will have Peter Gulácsi as goalkeeper, Alex Freeman, Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga and Sergi Cardona in defense, and Akhomach, Gueye, Santi Comesaña, Buchanan, Moleiro and Ayoze Pérez or Mikautadze in attack. The referee will be Alejandro Quintero, from the Andalusian Committee.
Valencia will be without Copete, Foulquier, Sadiq, Canós and Diego López, all of whom are in the final stretch of their recovery. Villarreal, for its part, arrives at the Mestalla without Nicolas Pepe and Carlos Romero, two players who have been key in the season. Despite the absences, both teams seek to change the dynamics of the last few days and improve their position in the table.
With qualification still open, the derby will be a crucial point for both teams. Valencia wants to close the duel with its first victory under Aguirre, while Villarreal seeks to reorient its campaign and get closer to the top of the table. The result of this meeting will have a direct impact on the fight for permanence and the aspiration for European competition positions.