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Valencia and Espanyol are the teams in the worst form in the entire Primera Division, so this 24th round matchup will be absolutely crucial for both sides.
Valencia is on the back of a 1-1 draw against Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey, but after losing the first leg 7-0, the result does not hold much relevance. The reality is that Valencia has been really poor since Gary Neville took over. The hosts have not won a Primera Division match since 7 November (!!!), making it 12 games without a victory. They did win 4 times in the Cup in this timespan, but the La Liga form is a huge concerned right now, as Valencia fell to the 14th place in the standings. Valencia also managed the “impressive” feat of winning just 3 home games out of 11 in La Liga this season – though they have lost just once, recording 7 draws.
Espanyol (17th place) is in total disarray at the moment. I talked about it on Monday and I will say it again: the new manager, Costel Galca, seems totally unprepared for this job. He took over in December and after winning his first two games he went on to gain just 2 draws and 7 losses in the last 9 matches. The last two games were 0-6 at Real Madrid and 0-5 at home with Real Sociedad!
Looking at the Sociedad match on Monday, you had to feel that the players are working behind Galca’s back to get him fired. However, reports surfaced that the players actually asked the board to give him more time. So on one hand you have absolutely pathetic and peculiar performances by the players, on the other hand we have these news reports, difficult to say which is the truth. But there is certainly the chance that Galca is sabotaged.
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Team news & lineups:
Gomes, Mustafi, Gaya and Alcacer are out for Valencia, with Siqueira and Javi Fuego doubtful. Espanyol can’t count on Arlauskis, Arbilla and Perez.
Valencia: Ryan – Barragan, Abdennour, Santos, Cancelo – Parejo, Danilo, Perez – Cheryshev, Negredo, Feghouli
Espanyol: Pau – Lopez, Gonzalez, Roco, Duarte – Diop, Sanchez – Burgui, Asensio, Moreno – Caicedo
Both teams and both managers are under pressure. However, you have to feel that Gary Neville at least has a better team, has home court advantage and his side is certainly playing better football. Neville’s job is also safer than Galca’s, with the Valencia boss reassured this week that he has the support of the board.
The problem with Espanyol is not just connected to the results, it’s the level of football they play – which for most part of 2016 and especially in the last two rounds was worse than poor, it was simply comical. I can’t see them having what it takes to recover under the current manager, especially not on the road. Obviously it’s not easy betting on a team that hasn’t won a league game in three months, but Espanyol is playing such poor football and there is so much uncertainty, that I can’t see them getting a point on the road against any La Liga side right now.
My tip is Valencia to win, mostly because of how poor Espanyol is, but the hosts obviously have the quality and home court advantage as well. Prediction: Valencia – Espanyol 2-0.
Pick: Valencia
Odds: 1.80 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.40
Event date: 13 February
