Newly promoted Real Valladolid will kick off their 2022-23 La Liga campaign against Villarreal at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium on Saturday.
Unai Emery’s side head into the weekend unbeaten in their last five meetings between the two teams since 2018 and will look to keep that run going.
One year after their relegation to the second tier, Valladolid are back in the La Liga after finishing second in La Liga 2 last season.
The Pucela picked up 81 points from 42 games to finish behind league winners Almeria on goal difference. Valladolid enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season, picking up four wins and two draws in six friendlies.
Meanwhile, Villarreal enjoyed a solid 2021-22 campaign, securing a seventh-placed finish in La Liga after picking up 59 points from 38 games.
Emery’s men also reached the UEFA Champions League semifinals, falling to a 5-2 aggregate defeat against Liverpool. Like Valladolid, Villarreal head into their weekend league opener off an impressive pre-season, picking up six wins and two draws in eight friendlies.
Real Valladolid vs Villarreal Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
Real Valladolid vs Villarreal Prediction
While Valladolid will look to maintain their fine run of results and kick off their top flight campaign on a high, they face the stern test of facing a more superior Villarreal side. The visitors should make use of their experience to claim a slender victory.
Prediction: Real Valladolid 0-1 Villarreal.
Real Valladolid vs Villarreal Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Villarreal
Tip 2: Both teams to score - No (Villarreal have kept four clean sheets in their last five games).
Tip 3: Game to have over 10.5 corners - No (There have been fewer than 11 corners in five of the last seven meetings between the two teams).
Paul Merson has predicted the results for Chelsea vs Tottenham and other GW 2 fixtures! Click here