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After a sparkling start to the La Liga campaign at El Madrigal, Valencia was the first side to take points away. The segunda vuelta has seen a derbi loss to Levante, followed by dreadful draws against Málaga and Sporting. Our most recent home run-out was an unjust defeat against Barcelona.
Bottom line: We cannot afford to drop more points at home, particularly to inferior opposition. And relegation-threatened Zaragoza is just that.
Diego López knows that los maños will be desperate for points, so the submarino amarillo needs to come out hungry to win. If they do, I don't think that Javier Aguirre's side has the quality to trouble us. But Villarreal has had problems all season when it has been the favorite on paper.
My expected XI:
Diego López
Nilmar – Giuseppe Rossi
A rest for Borja, putting Cani back in the lineup against his old team. Nilmar, Santi, and Capdevila return, while Catalá shifts from left to center back. Useful player.
Prediction: With a Champions League place up for grabs against Sevilla, I think we might look past Zaragoza early on. But Nilmar will be on target to spearhead a comfortable 3-0 Villarreal victory. Endavant Villarreal!