All Spanish affair in the Europa League as Villarreal take on Valencia

Valencia make the familiar trip to the El Madrigal to face a Villarreal side who are in the midst of a relegation dogfight on the domestic front.

The Yellow Submarine are in danger of sinking out of La Liga, they are currently sitting in 18th on goal difference. For a team that possess the likes of Santi Cazorla, Samuel Chukwueze and Carlos Bacca in their ranks, they have been wretched with inconsistency and instability on and off the pitch. They have gone through three managers in the space of six months.

However, the Europa League has offered somewhat of a relief to the club. Despite all the issues that exist in La Liga, Villarreal have found form in Europe. Beating the likes of Zenit and Sporting Lisbon on the way, the Spanish outfit have confirmed the talent that most supporters always knew was there.

For the visitors, boss Marcelino will be looking for a good finish to the campaign with the club battling on two fronts. In La Liga, the team are sixth yet only four points of Getafe who sit in forth. With a tasty all Spanish clash ahead of them in the Europa League, Marcelino will be hopeful of going deep in this year’s competition. With key players such as Dani Parejo, Rodrigo and Jose Gaya in their side, it is clear to see why Valencia are one of the favourites to take the crown.

Team News:

Villarreal have a whole host of injuries for the important match on Thursday. The Yellow Submarine’s absentee list has mounted up in recent weeks with the likes of Bruno, Triguero, Javi Fuego and Jaume Costa all on the treatment table for the foreseeable future.

The club confirmed in the pre-match build up that the Oranges will be without trio Ruben Sobrino, Carlos Soler and Geoffrey Kondogbia for the short trip to Villarreal. Although they are hopeful of having the latter  being among the squad for the second leg next week. The Frenchmen was an integral player to the side before injuring a tendon in his leg in December. Fellow centre midfielder Francis Coquelin is a doubt for the match.

Villarreal host Valencia in the first leg of the quarter finals in 20.00 GMT kick off.