Valencia vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 15/04/2019, 08:54  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/04/2019 at 09:54 in Europa League Predictions

Spain have an excellent record in the Europa League and supplied its winner last season when Atletico Madrid lifted the trophy. Thanks to the quarter-final draw, La Liga are guaranteed a team in the semi-finals and after the first leg, it's looking as that will be Valencia. They took a sixth minute lead at Villarreal but the home side equalized from the penalty spot in the 36th minute. It was still 1-1 going into the 90th minute and Valencia looked set for another draw but then shocked Villarreal with goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes to take a commanding lead in the tie. The weekend saw Valencia beat Levante 3-1 at home and they are sixth in La Liga, still with a chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League. They are unbeaten in their last 19 home league and cup ties and in European football have won four (including beating Manchester United) and lost just to Juventus.

Villarreal may have suffered a 3-1 home loss on Thursday but were smiling at the weekend. A 1-0 win at Girona lifted them out of the relegation zone and they are up to 15th but still only two points above the bottom three. They are unbeaten away from home in this season's Europa League with two wins and three draws. Villarreal lost 3-0 at Valencia earlier in the season and the tip here is for a home win.