Valladolid

Valladolid lost four of the first seven matches this season in what was a very disappointing start to the campaign for Jose Luis Mendilibar's side. The Castilians are unbeaten in the league since then, beating Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 before back-to-back ties against Espanyol and Xerez. Despite the team's recent improvement, Valladolid has only won twice in the league all season and is just three points clear of the drop zone ahead of Sunday's trip to a much-improved Villarreal. Pedro Lopez and Fabian Canobbio are both doubtful for that match, but Jacobo Sanz and Luis Prieto should recover from their respective problems in time for Sunday. Sisi is back in training following six weeks on the sidelines, but is unlikely to return yet.