Bitesize Prediction: Valencia vs Almeria – 03/02/24

Competition: La Liga

Market: Valencia win

Odds: 7/10 @ 1xBet

Seeking an immediate return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, Valencia will welcome Almeria to the Mestalla.

Starting with the hosts, while Valencia might have eventually slipped to a 2-0 loss away at Spanish giants Atletico Madrid last weekend, the Bats have continued to impress this season. Although Los Ches might have found themselves at the heart of an infamous La Liga relegation scrap last year, Ruben Baraja’s side are now dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine European charge in 2024. Marking their return from the festive interval with an eye-catching 3-1 romp against Villarreal, the one-time Rayo Vallecano boss has seen his squad suffer just a pair of defeats from any of their previous eight domestic appearances across all competitions. Opening Saturday’s showdown smelling a golden opportunity, Valencia will be hugely excited by their continued success on home soil. Last seen at the Mestalla clinching a gritty 1-0 win against Athletic Bilbao, Baraja’s side muster 14 points from their previous six La Liga appearances in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back to September 27th.

As for the visitors, although Almeria might have eventually clung to their La Liga status last season, Gaizka Garitano’s men are enduring another public crisis. Last seen putting in a woeful display as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming at home against Alaves, La Union sit rock-bottom of the table and they have remarkably collected just six points from any of their 22 top-flight appearances this year. Already sat 11 points adrift of La Liga safety, the former Athletic Bilbao boss has an almighty job on his hands. Limping their way to Spain’s second-tier, Almeria have continued to show a string of glaring issues at both ends of the pitch. Opening the New Year with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Osasuna, Garitano’s squad will be bracing themselves for a real challenge this weekend. Tipped as a major underdog here, the Rojiblancos will also be concerned by a downbeat record at the Mestalla. Mustering just a single victory from any of their previous six trips to the European hopefuls, we are backing a home win on Saturday afternoon.

Bet: Valencia 7/10 to beat Almeria in Saturday’s La Liga matchup @ 1xBet