Villarreal hope derby form can arrest slide

Villarreal are in danger of losing touch with the Primera Liga leaders if they do not win their local derby at Valencia tonight.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have dropped off the pace with consecutive defeats to rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla, and are four points behind second-placed Valencia in seventh.

They have only managed one goal in their last four outings and striker Nihat Kahveci admitted this had been one of their key failings recently.

"At present, we are not taking our chances and while it isn't the only problem, scoring will make it much easier to get back to winning ways," he said.

"It's a match that is worth more than three points. For me it is worth six if we want to close the gap on the best sides. We have done well there in recent years."

Villarreal have won their last three league meetings with Valencia, including back-to-back wins at the Mestalla, but Unai Emery's side are a different proposition from last year's team.

They hung on for a 1-1 draw in the King's Cup last-16 first leg away to Racing Santander on Wednesday and impressively dismissed Atletico Madrid 3-1 at home last weekend, with the fit-again David Silva in good form.

Leaders Barcelona continue to set the pace with an 11-point lead at the top, and are favourites to maintain their advantage when they visit bottom club Osasuna tomorrow.

Osasuna have only won two games all season but are unbeaten in their last four home matches at the Reyno de Navarra.

Champions Real Madrid, who are third, appear to be over their poor run of form after consecutive wins against Valencia and Villarreal.

With players returning to fitness they should prove too strong for second-bottom Mallorca tomorrow.