Villarreal to prove tough test for Gary Neville’s Valencia

Villarreal v Valencia

• La Liga
• Thursday, December 31st
• Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
• El Madrigal, Villarreal
• Live on Sky Sports 1

Gary Neville makes a short trip north with his Valencia side who take on an in-from Villarreal, who are unbeaten in five across all competitions, winning four and drawing once.

Formidable forward force

The Yellow Submarine will be confident of sinking Valencia, and are odds-on at 5/6 courtesy of Coral to do so, with an array of attackers who were in prolific form before the winter break.

Attacking midfielder Denis Suarez sunk Real Sociedad away from home, with a brilliant brace and, as a result, the talented 21-year-old Spaniard is 13/5 to find the net anytime once more.

In their last home match against Real Madrid, Villarreal remarkably emerged victorious, with Roberto Soldado scoring the only goal. The imposing striker is 9/2 to break the deadlock, while Cedric Bakambu who bagged a brace at home at the beginning of December is 13/8 to net anytime.

Neville needs draws converted into wins

Since he has taken over, under Neville’s stewardship, Valencia have taken two points from six in La Liga, as well as winning a Copa del Rey match.

While it arguably takes a while for players to adapt to a new coach’s methods, the team need to start picking up wins and fans will remember that they beat Villarreal 3-1 in this fixture last season.

On that occasion, Shkodran Mustafi surprised everyone to bag a brace and the defender is 17/2 to net again anytime. Last time out, Paco Alcacer scored the opener and is 13/2 to break the deadlock, while fellow striker Santiago Mina has scored three in the club’s last five fixtures across all competitions and is 7/2 to net anytime.

While the second half of the La Liga season make for an intriguing prospect for Neville, the former Manchester United player does have targets, earmarking both cup competitions and a top four finish as aims.

“I know there are strong sides in both cup competitions but we have to be ambitious,” Neville said.

“I was never defeatist as a player and I have not changed. We finished fourth last season so that has to be the aim.”