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Important match at Mestalla, as both Valencia and KAA Gent will look to get ahead in the most evenly matched Champions League group, which also contains Zenit and Lyon.
After losing to Zenit in the opening match, Valencia did well to bounce back and win 1-0 in Lyon three weeks ago, putting themselves in a good position for qualification. It hasn`t been pretty for Valencia so far this season, but the hosts are on the back of the best performance in a long time, beating Malaga 3-0 over the weekend – their third win in the last 4 matches in all competitions. It seems that Valencia is picking things up, they clearly have the talent and will look to build on the recent good run.
Belgian champions KAA Gent were a bit fortunate to escape with a 1-1 home draw against Lyon in the first round, as the visitors missed a penalty, but Gent fully deserved the point – as they played with 10 men since the 40th minute and even had to cope with another red card in the last 6-7 minutes. They didn`t play bad in Sankt Petersburg either and often looked better than Zenit, but lost 2-1. It was the only loss for Gent this season, a team that won 5 of the last 6 matches, including two 4-1 wins over Standard Liege and Club Brugge. It`s not a surprise really, as the Belgians made some inspired signings in the off season and were always going to be a dangerous side.
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Team news & lineups:
Negredo, Ryan, Abdennour, Perez and Alves are out for Valencia, while Gent can field its best lineup with the exception of Dejaegere – the only unavailable player.
Valencia: Jaume – Cancelo, Santos, Mustafi, Gaya – Parejo, Fuego, Gomes – Mina, Alcacer, Piatti
Gent: Sels – Johansson, Nielsen, Mitrovic – Saief, Fokuet, Kums, Neto, Asare – Depoitre, Milicevic
Valencia is starting to play better recently, but they are still not at their best and beating Gent will likely not be as easy as the odds suggest. The visitors are a good side, they are in excellent form and will be confident of getting something at Mestalla. Injury status and team news are on their side and that should make a difference, as Valencia has some serious problems with missing players.
I believe Gent has the arguments to produce an upset but, if Valencia wins, it will likely be very close. After all, the 3-0 weekend win over Malaga was the first time Valencia won by more than 1 goal since August, in all competitions. My tip is Gent to cover the 1,5 goal handicap. Prediction: Valencia – KAA Gent 1-1.
Pick: Gent +1,5
Odds: 1.75 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6
Event date: 20 October
