Villarreal vs Valencia prediction, H2H and probable lineups – 22 February 2026
As part of Matchday 25 in the Spanish La Liga, Villarreal will face off against Valencia. The match is set to take place on Sunday, 22 February. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 Central European Time. I am offering a bet on the winner of this game.
Match preview
The "Yellow Submarine" continues to hold a firm position near the top of the 2025/26 La Liga standings, remaining one of the main contenders for a Champions League spot. With most of the season behind them, Villarreal currently sits third, three points ahead of Atlético Madrid.
Villarreal has been particularly impressive at home, displaying a balance of attacking flair and disciplined defending, which is reflected in their consistent results on the pitch. Midweek, Marcelino García Toral's squad claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over Levante, thanks to a goal from Mikautadze, further consolidating their spot near the summit and boosting morale ahead of a tough run of fixtures.
However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing: in a recent clash with Getafe, Villarreal suffered a 1-2 defeat. This result highlighted that there is still work to be done, even against sides from the lower half of the table.
Mental resilience has also been a key factor. Despite a disastrous exit from the main stage of the Champions League, the club has managed to maintain its competitiveness and high standards domestically, making them a formidable opponent for any La Liga side.
Valencia are enduring a challenging 2025/26 La Liga campaign, often finding themselves closer to the relegation zone than to European spots. The club with a storied history has struggled for both goals and consistency, especially on the road, where they've managed just one win away from home and have generally fallen short against their rivals.
Recent fixtures have brought mixed results for Valencia. After a decent run in mid-January, a string of defeats followed, including a knockout from the Copa del Rey.
There was a positive sign in their most recent match against Levante. The "Bats" emerged victorious in the derby and, for the first time in a while, kept a clean sheet.
Nevertheless, their overall points tally and position in the standings make it clear that the squad still has plenty of work to do to steer clear of the relegation battle. After 24 matches, Valencia are just two points ahead of 18th-placed Mallorca.
Match facts
- Villarreal have lost four of their last six home matches.
- Valencia have suffered three defeats in their last four away games.
- Villarreal average 2.25 goals per game at home, while Valencia average just 0.85 goals per game away.
Probable lineups
- Villarreal: Junior, Cardona, Veiga, Navarro, Mourinho, Parti, Comesaña, Pepe, Moleiro, Perez, Mikautadze.
- Valencia: Dmitrievski, Copete, Tarrega, Nunez, Gaya, Ugrinic, Pepelu, Ramazani, Rioja, Beltran, Duro.
H2H
Villarreal have not lost at home to Valencia in La Liga since 2017.
Prediction
In the race for the bronze medals, Villarreal simply must beat teams of Valencia's current caliber. I expect a hard-fought encounter, but the hosts should be able to pick up another three points.
