Villarreal B manager David Albelda's side kicks off their 2026/27 pre-season this Saturday with a closed-door friendly against Valencia Mestalla at 10:00 at the Mini Estadi. The Yellow Submarine's B-team returned to training on July 16 and faces seven friendlies before their Primera Federación opener, where they aim to secure a top-half finish.
What’s at stake in the opening friendly?
The clash with Valencia Mestalla serves as Albelda’s first assessment of the squad’s fitness and a chance to blood young talents. The B-side, which ended last season mid-table, targets a repeat performance and a push toward promotion playoff spots. The team has scored 72 goals and conceded 46 (+26 goal difference) this season, reflecting their attacking and defensive solidity.
The ex-Villarreal CF player is tasked with defining roles and integrating new faces. The fixture, played behind closed doors, launches a seven-game pre-season slate that includes showdowns against elite youth sides like Chelsea sub-21.
A stepped-up and gruelling build-up
After facing Valencia Mestalla, Villarreal B travel to Oliva Nova on July 31 for a 11:00 kick-off against Chelsea sub-21. The schedule ramps up with back-to-back away trips in August: a 4 August clash at CD Eldense in Elda and a 7 August meeting with Intercity in Benidorm. These games will test the team’s ability to compete with minimal recovery time, vital in the cut-throat Primera Federación.
The pre-season finale features two high-stakes home duels: Real Zaragoza visit the Mini Estadi on 15 August, followed by Nàstic de Tarragona on 19 August. Both fixtures will measure the B-side’s mettle against teams with similar ambitions in Group 2.
Goal: lock in the spine and start strong
The final tune-up before the league curtain-raiser is a 22 August clash at CD Teruel in Pinilla. Albelda aims to finalise his starting XI and fine-tune team mechanisms ahead of the season opener on 30 August against Rayo Majadahonda. The boss wants a competitive edge and ambition, mindful of the category’s intensity.
Meanwhile, the senior Villarreal CF sit third in La Liga with 72 points (22 wins, 6 draws, 10 losses), 22 adrift of leaders Barcelona. The B-side, competing in Primera Federación, seeks to mirror the first team’s momentum while grooming talent for the future.
The first step comes this Saturday in Vila-real. Villarreal B face seven key tests to forge their identity and arrive ready for the moment of truth.
